The Jones' Funeral

Yesterday, we attended the funeral of "Jack Jones" (not his real name).  During the years that the Jones children, and my children were growing up, we all attended the same church, and participated in worship, shared meals, talent shows, committee meetings, etc.

We actually departed a little over twenty years ago, when I went into the ministry and served elsewhere.  But we still have a few connections with that church, and many people remember us. For over a decade, we were church family together.  In addition, I officiated at 'Katie's' wedding, one of the Jones children, and a daughter's best friend.

It was always impressive to see the Jones family sitting in their pew, faithfully, ever week.   Jack and his wife, and their five children, always there.  That many offspring, and their spouses and children adds up to quite a large gathered family.  There must have been at least twenty five or so, as well as several of Jack's siblings.  And that provides a plethora of potential speakers from which to draw.   A number of the children, and even more of the grandchildren participated in the service.  The oldest son was clearly in charge, the son who became a clergy.  He introduced each speaker, and also spoke himself, as well as sang a duet with his daughter.

They always seemed like the "perfect family".  And the memorial service still conveyed that image.  (Of course, I do know that no family is perfect.)  Still, such events always make one think of how one's own funeral will be, who will speak, who will preside, what they will say, or even where it will be held.   One would hope that from among our seven children collectively, we can muster a few willing to say something about either Gerry or about me at our memorial service.  I know from my pastoral experience, however, that that is not always the case.

There were a number of people in attendance at the memorial service whom we have not seen in twenty years or so.  It reminds us of how much we have aged!  Time marches on, and does its damage.

The trick is to find joy in each day.  And I think we do!