Remembering Donna

Today, I attended a Memorial Service for a wonderful woman who was an active and vital member of my former congregation.  It was wonderful to be back there and see the good people of that church. They all greeted me with warmth and affection.  The current pastor presided 'around the edges' but it was mostly Donna's children who spoke about her and her life.   Each one offered a different element.  The only daughter spoke about their unique and special relationship.  One son spoke about Donna's many physical and medical challenges over the years, which have been enormous.  Another son shared some of the challenges involved in raising the four of them. A third son wrote a thank you letter.   Each talked about something they had learned from her:  perseverance,  unconditional love,  patience, generosity, etc.  As one person commented to me after the service---"I didn't know Donna very well, until today, and of course, now I know her quite well."

How true that is. And how unusual for the eulogies to be done by the children. Often grief will get in the way of family members being able to speak publicly on such an occasion.   A couple of us commented after the service how we were not sure whether or not our children would do that. (And also, I might add,  wondered what they might say.)  For sure, any one of us could only hope to be the kind of mother Donna was described as by her children.

I do think that largely, at least, my children would say positive things,  though I was not necessarily convinced they would be comfortable in such a public speaking role.  When they write sweet notes to me on special occasions,  I save them all in my Appreciation Box.

I started saving special notes of appreciation early during the years of my ministry, always with the plan that when I felt down and out,  I could always go there and read those positive comments and be encouraged and uplifted.  Now, of course, the ones I cherish the most are those written by my children (and husband).

When and how one's end time will come is always an unknown, as well as who will be around to mark it.  I don't wonder about that so much any more, confident that I have already lived remarkably, and been mightily blessed by those who have loved me!

There is little more that I could ask.