A Sunday Ceremony of Life

We went to a funeral today at a church in Owosso, Michigan. It was me, my wife, my sister, and my dad.

50 years ago, my dad was the minister at the same church. I was 14 at the time, and he took a preaching job in Fenton, Michigan...a city where we still live. At the tender age of 14, I thought my life was over...having to leave my friends at both our church, and our neighborhood.

But, as I've found out...time and distance cannot take away certain friendships. The woman in the picture (Dorothy) was the one who has passed. My Sunday School lesson this morning was on being an example, and...what a wonderful example this beautiful woman was.

Her smile was infectious, and she just exuded love. I mean...love literally poured out of her. Yet, even when she was pouring out the love to everyone...she had a way of making YOU feel special...of making ME  feel special. I just loved her, and she was easy to love.

If there is such a thing as an "easy" funeral, today was it. You see...I know EXACTLY where she is going. She is headed due North...straight up to Heaven. She truly was an angel.

She leaves behind her husband of 70 years (the handsome young man in the photo), 6 children, and many grandchildren.

A special lady, and a special family.

At the age of 64, I have found out one thing. If you live long enough, you're going to lose the heroes and the "look-up-to" people of your youth. I lost one this week.