We are back from Phil’s funeral. It is good to have that part done. It was great to see family, even though the reason was so sad.
We came to Dad’s in waves – first our car, then Mark, Rachel and Matthew, then Keren and Kurt, and then Charlie. (Nephew Jacob couldn’t come – he was missed, but we all understood.) That was so great – I love my family! Some of us stayed at Dad’s and the rest stayed up the road at a rented house, but we gathered together to talk, laugh, cry, work out funeral details and just spend time together. We ate gobs of food (thanks to my thinking-ahead sister-in-law and my good friends), drank some of Lloyd’s lovely gin and tonics, and enjoyed connecting. My nephew Charlie said it well, that this is how people are meant to work through troubles – as a community. Isolation is no good.
We invited a couple of Phil’s friends over in the evenings and that was wonderful. I only knew Phil as my brother, so it was good to hear other people’s thoughts and feelings regarding him. There again, community is healing, especially when Jesus is there.
The funeral itself went well. The pastor kept the focus on Jesus’ gift of salvation and we had lots of singing. (Phil would have loved that.) The committal went well, too. His remains are up in the same cemetery where we buried my Mom. The weather was lovely and the short service was just right. Phil’s ashes were placed in the columbarium by his two best friends and they when put on the face plate, and that was – as his friend George said – closure. We know that’s not Phil. Phil is with Jesus, and all his troubles of this world are gone.
God’s peace be with you, dear friends. Christ is risen! Alleluia! And Phil lives, too!
It sounds like family 🙂 I’m so glad you all had the closure of getting together and of hearing God’s Word.
Beautiful! Family love, friend love and God’s love! A grand combination!
God’s love, peace, and blessings to you all!
Peace and comfort to everyone.