04 October 2013

Fun Friday: Service for a Funeral

Probably you may be wondering how 'funeral' and 'fun Friday' can go together. For one thing, it is my privilege to serve for a funeral today by providing a potato casserole for the family after the services, and I was asked to sing for the services. Also, in this case the death came to an elderly person, so in some respects it wasn't completely unwelcome. But this sweet sister (Ormae) holds a special place in my heart.

Ormae was one of the first sisters I was assigned to visit teach when I moved to this area over four years ago with my small family. Her hearing was sketchy at best, even with a hearing aid, and her sight was just about as bad. But she was so fun to visit. Occasionally she could hear our responses to her, but she could carry on conversation quite well, if mostly by herself. She shared great stories of her growing up years, her years as a mother and a hairstylist. She was sweet and sassy, and her nails were always taken care of and painted, usually pink. Once she shared with us that she never painted her nails red. Why? Because that's what she had seen the 'ladies of the night' paint their nails when she was young! hahaha

She had a strong testimony of the church, and it was such a pleasure to get to know her a little bit. I am so grateful that I was asked to sing for her funeral because I know (she told me many times) how much she loved to hear me perform, either vocally or on my violin. I just loved her and I'm so glad I get to serve her one last time. 'Til we meet again, Ormae I'll remember you and be grateful that you were a part of my life. I look forward to getting to know you better in the next life!

1 comment:

  1. I'm not sure that I would label funerals "fun" but I can see where you are coming from. I enjoy funerals and think there is nothing more uplifting than a funeral service for a Latter-Day-Saint who has lived a long fulfilling life.
    Ormae sounds a bit like my Grandma. Her name is Oleta and she died at the age of 98 but had been pretty well deaf and blind for years. For the last few years of her life she was confined to a wheel chair, but she was still full of spunk and was fun to visit with. For her, death was a release.
    She was able to leave behind her failing body and be reunited with her parents, siblings and her dear husband. At the time of her death we gathered together as a family to celebrate her life more than to mourn her passing.
    I am so thankful that I know that this is not the end, our spirits continue on forever! I am so glad that we will all be able to see each other once our time here is done, and, like you said, 'get to know each other better.'

    ReplyDelete

Think before you post: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Thanks for commenting!