Funerals and Family

My grandmother's funeral was last Saturday. My family and I made the trip to Memphis on Thursday, which was largely uneventful but still very nice. We made it to my mom's around 4pm and were able to enjoy the association of family, both genetic and spiritual, for the rest of the evening as well as the following day. So many friends brought food and words of encouragement that we had to come up w/ inventive storage solutions for both.

The service was Saturday at the mid-town Kingdom Hall, where my grandmother went last. The brothers and sisters loved her very much, as was evident from the large number of congregation friends who attended. All of the extended family also were there, which was bittersweet since we haven't seen many of them in a long time. My mom had put a huge collage of family pictures in the foyer of the hall and I could kick myself for not having taken a photo of it. You would all have enjoyed it so much.

The opening comments were by brother Harry Chambers-who was ill but loved my grandmother so offered to be there anyway. He said a prayer and read the obituary. There was also a letter to friends and family that was included in the funeral program and though he wasnt supposed to read it aloud, he did so-much to our delight. The body of the letter was written by my mom and it was a beautiful letter, full of encouragement and sweet anecdotes about Halene. Here are a few segments:

"Helene and Papa studied for 2 yrs before they ever came to the Kingdom Hall. So before they went, Halene asked Ailene what she should wear and Ailene said: "Oh, just wear something simple" so Mom came with her hair incurlers and a scarf around her head! When she saw how well-dressed everyone was, she was mortified!"

"While Helene was in the nursing home, we started studying the bible with her roomate, Mary Taylor. Even though Mother had Alzheimer's she still remembered the scriptures very well and when I started to read a scripture I thought she might be familiar with, I would ask her, 'Mom, do you remember this scripture?' and I'd read a few words and most of the time she could finish it from memory. She would also offer comments from time to time to help Mary understand a point we were discussing. The last study we had with mary before Helene died was 2 wks ago. At the end of the study she said 'May I have the closing prayer?' So Mom began to pray and to ask Jehovah to bless Mary's desire to learn about Him. In the middle of the prayer, Mary said 'Are you praying about me?' Mom said, 'Yes but I'm not finished with the prayer so you have to be quiet until I am!' and then she continued'"

"We will miss her sweet, cheerful disposition and beautiful, smiling face, her hugs and kisses. No one ever had to wonder if she loved you, she'd tell you repeatedly and all of you made her feel loved as well, of which we are ever grateful."


After the letter, Bob Borger made some humorous personal comments and then Steve Gilliam gave a GORGEOUS and lovingly delivered funeral discourse about Halene and her hope for the future. I am so thrilled that he was able to give it since he is a special friend of our family and such a sweet brother.

The thing I loved the most about this funeral is that it was so uplifting; very few people were crying. Those of us who did shed a few tears, did so with pride and happiness as we reflected on Halene's life and her faithful example.

After the funeral, the family gathered at Toby's new place and it was a nice time indeed. It was almost surreal, however, to watch the kids playing together-the 'younger' generation, doing the things we used to do. It also made me feel a little down. Time is flying.

Sunday was the special talk and I'm happy to say that in spite of all the weekend's chaos, most of us made it. The talk was great but seemed so short (this 30 minute thing is difficult for me to get used to). We came back Sunday afternoon, a whirlwind of cleaning, packing, and preparing for our vacation ahead of us. We leave tomorrow.

I'm excited but can't help but feel a little guilty at the same time. Anyway, see ya'll later!