From One Sad Day To Organising Another

 

This morning I was up earlier than usual to get tonight's dinner sorted...in my good old slow cooker.

Today was going to be a busy day but ended up being busier than I had expected.

By 9am I was at church with Grandma, getting the food organised for a funeral of a 92yr old man who had been part of our church for many years.

He was a German prisoner of war who never returned home ( or desired to return ) and settled down here with a wife and children.

It was a small funeral, at his age most of your peers have long since gone.

Everyone appreciate the spread we had put on, but as we were setting it all up, I had a text from my Monday Recycled Teenager's daughter...her mum was on regular  morphine and was  I able to pop up and see her today!

I of course shared the sad news with those around me, and we looked at each other...knowing what we were all thinking.....we will be back here very soon organising another funeral.

 

 

 

With the funeral refreshments all cleared away, I took Grandma home then drove to hospital.

I bumped into the eldest daughter in the corridor, had a catch up, then met another two in the ward day room, who told me the youngest daughter was due to land from the US any time and would hopefully make it from Heathrow in time to see her mum alive.

It certainly is a very sad time, and all one can say is we are praying for them.

I was able to spend a short time alone with my dear friend, she did open her eyes when I held her hand and spoke her name, but unable to respond.

Did she know it was me? I really don't know...did it matter? Probably not.

Knowing that the hearing is one of the last senses to go, I shared with her some thoughts from the Bible which we had at the funeral earlier, thanked her for all her love and kindness over so many years, and prayed with her....I was glad to be alone as my voice wobbled more than I would have liked.

Why do we feel shy to show our emotions at times like this I wonder?

So,with a heavy heart I walked away from my dear old friend for the last time.

But with the heaviness is also the joy of knowing when she leaves us, she will be going to a far better place and in the presence of the Lord and Saviour she has served for so many years.

For now we can just pray she has a peaceful last few hours and the family are comforted at this sad time.