Funerals

Death and funerals are things that most people try to avoid thinking or talking about. Monday was my aunt Dorothy Beck’s funeral. The funeral service was more like a tribute to the wonderful woman that she was. Through the course of the entire service, any person attending was reminded by the shared poetry and stories of what a strong and faithful servant of God she was. Even though she had multiple setbacks in her life that would have destroyed other people, Dorothy continued to make a home for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

At this gathering of friends and family, those people who no longer live close by could reconnect and strengthen our family ties. Of courses, there were tears. Often grief has a way of escaping and trickling down our cheeks, but we were not inconsolable like some. Dorothy’s faith in God has been passed down to her children and their families in great scoops and we know they shall be reunited with her one day.

The gathering together of people touched by her allowed us to share stories and past history of Dorothy. Some were forgotten or true revelations to some family members that only enriched our memories of her. The new tales added pages to our family’s journal of her life. As we shared memories of her love of cooking and sewing, those remembrances made many smile. It was a celebration of her life.

Dorothy’s completed her journey and passed the baton to her family and to all who knew her. She was a fine example of a Christian woman, a mother, and a wife. The knowledge that she was saved and was a child of God gave encouragement and direction for others to follow in her footsteps and to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Christ was her pillar of strength and she reflected that strength to the world around her.

It was unusual for me and probably others, to see her so still during the viewing and funeral service, Dorothy always seemed to be in motion. Active in the church and often working in the nursery, her age didn’t seem to slow her down. She’s graduated now and has entered the bright shining halls in the haven of rest.