Celebration of Life by bhogg Works Inform Faith writing prompt entry |
I ran late. The parking lot of the Church was overflowing. Adam was only sixteen when he died, but he must have touched many lives.There were only a few seats left. Mine was next to some kids who looked to me about Adam's age. The young girl to my right was crying. At sixty-one, I've been to enough funerals to come prepared. I gave her a tissue. The service began with a beautiful a cappella rendition of 'Amazing Grace', sung in Cherokee. The two young female singers were members of the school that Adam attended. This was Adam's favorite song. Listening to the well-known tune, but with haunting, unknown words, was surreal. The pastor then announced that other members of Adam's school wanted to speak. Two separate groups of three came up. They shared stories of what Adam meant to them. These young kids had the whole congregation in the palms of their hands. Lots of laughter, funny asides, and yes, some raw grief. Several times, they stopped, dried their tears, took a breath and continued. I know and appreciate the power of words. Never have I been able to grasp and share such emotion. I'll have to revisit this Church, because I thought the pastor showed remarkably good judgment. I saw him fold his notes, say a few things to comfort the family, and end early. The kids had captured the essence of Adam. His goofy sense of humor, his warmth of character and his smile that could light a room; they shared it all. What more could have been said. During my entire life, when at funerals, somewhere along the line someone remarked about them being a celebration of life. I never believed it--until now. Thanks be to God.
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bhogg
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