Monday, October 08, 2007
Celebration Of Life
There are many euphemisms used during a death. The Salvation Army reports a death as "Promotion to Glory." I think that's fitting. Pappa's funeral was called a celebration of life. I assumed that was just another euphemism like saying "falling asleep" instead of dying. But as it turned out, his funeral was definitely a celebration of his life and, indeed, a celebration of life in general.
We were fortunate that so many real friends were able to attend the celebration. At nearly 91, he was lucky to still have so many friends living. Of course, it helped that he had made many, many friends throughout his life from the many places that he lived and served during his lifetime.
The people who spoke at the funeral had known Pappa for a minimum of four decades each. And they had wonderful stories to tell. I had heard many - some were totally new to me. None were surprising, though. I did know my Pappa pretty well after all.
One of the speakers had been friends with Pappa since she was four years old. I estimate that she is now in her late 70's, from the stories she shared. She always considered Pappa to be a big brother to her. (He being the last of 10 children probably enjoyed being an "older brother" for a change.)
She told great stories and described my grandfather as a teenager. She summed up his life in a list of six items. I didn't hear much of the second three because the first three were so familiar: friendship, fun, and fellowship. I suspect the other three were God, service, and family. That would make sense to me, but I was already thinking about those first three. Pappa really knew what life was all about.
If you are a long time reader of this BLOG, then you may remember a post entitled, "Friendship, Fellowship, and Fun" from November 6, 2005. It's the motto of a group of rabbit breeders in the mid-west. It was first introduced to me by Cheri Bushee and it's became a favorite of mine and a reminder to keep my rabbit hobby mostly about friendship, fellowship, and fun. The other three in my case would be bunnies, sharing, and success.
It would be a lie to say that I don't enjoy winning. I do. But success isn't just beating other rabbits. It could be getting rid of long ears or optimizing my rabbit's diet. Sharing includes sharing rabbits and sharing information. And who can forget the appeal of the rabbits themselves?
But I know that once my bunny career ends, which it will one of these days unless I'm promoted to glory in some sudden way, it will be the memories of the friendships, fellowship, and fun that I most fondly recall.
Yes, my Pappa knew what was important in life. He was very proud of his family. He sought ways to serve others constantly - everything from physically building churches to knocking on doors to invite families to church to mentoring to providing the basic supplies of living to the poor. God was the center of his life since he became a Christian at the age of seven. And he placed a high value on friendship, fellowship, and fun.
Laurie ¶ 10:40 AM
We were fortunate that so many real friends were able to attend the celebration. At nearly 91, he was lucky to still have so many friends living. Of course, it helped that he had made many, many friends throughout his life from the many places that he lived and served during his lifetime.
The people who spoke at the funeral had known Pappa for a minimum of four decades each. And they had wonderful stories to tell. I had heard many - some were totally new to me. None were surprising, though. I did know my Pappa pretty well after all.
One of the speakers had been friends with Pappa since she was four years old. I estimate that she is now in her late 70's, from the stories she shared. She always considered Pappa to be a big brother to her. (He being the last of 10 children probably enjoyed being an "older brother" for a change.)
She told great stories and described my grandfather as a teenager. She summed up his life in a list of six items. I didn't hear much of the second three because the first three were so familiar: friendship, fun, and fellowship. I suspect the other three were God, service, and family. That would make sense to me, but I was already thinking about those first three. Pappa really knew what life was all about.
If you are a long time reader of this BLOG, then you may remember a post entitled, "Friendship, Fellowship, and Fun" from November 6, 2005. It's the motto of a group of rabbit breeders in the mid-west. It was first introduced to me by Cheri Bushee and it's became a favorite of mine and a reminder to keep my rabbit hobby mostly about friendship, fellowship, and fun. The other three in my case would be bunnies, sharing, and success.
It would be a lie to say that I don't enjoy winning. I do. But success isn't just beating other rabbits. It could be getting rid of long ears or optimizing my rabbit's diet. Sharing includes sharing rabbits and sharing information. And who can forget the appeal of the rabbits themselves?
But I know that once my bunny career ends, which it will one of these days unless I'm promoted to glory in some sudden way, it will be the memories of the friendships, fellowship, and fun that I most fondly recall.
Yes, my Pappa knew what was important in life. He was very proud of his family. He sought ways to serve others constantly - everything from physically building churches to knocking on doors to invite families to church to mentoring to providing the basic supplies of living to the poor. God was the center of his life since he became a Christian at the age of seven. And he placed a high value on friendship, fellowship, and fun.
Laurie ¶ 10:40 AM
