Alice's Funeral was held on Feb 16th. It was unreal that I was attending my second funeral in a row, two Saturdays in a row, for two favorite aunts. It was hard to go through one, let alone two. We are Alice's family. Without children or a spouse, we were her family and she was part of ours in every way. We had a box of jewelry we went though of Alice's and picked some things out as a keepsake and wore them at the funeral. Jayden wore a choker style necklace with three small turquoise stones. Luke wore a pin on his coat of a road runner with a bit of turquoise on it. The road runner is the state bird of Albuquerque where Alice lived many years. I wore a turquoise and silver bracelet. We had a favorite photo of Alice enlarged in the front of the church surrounded by many flowers.Our families stood inside the church as people came through to express their condolences for the visitation leading into the funeral. So many people hugged, shook hands, and cried. So many familiar faces I had not seen in years. My hometown church family. The years showed on their aged faces but I knew each one. Then my friend Jessica appeared with a hug and not long after my friend Paula. This made me cry even more. These two girls have been friends from childhood, my hometown girls. Paula lives near Solon Iowa, a 3 hour drive southeast. Paula lives in Lawton, a 2+ hour drive west. Both girls came to be at the funeral, that meant so much to me!! I was surprised and so touched by their kind hearts, now that is a true friend right there, and a genuine friendship. Love those girls.
During the service, Jayden got up and gave a brief eulogy of her memories with Alice. She talked of her love for horses and their many horse excursions.
A song was played that had been recorded of Amazing Grace. It was a more modern version that Alice requested with the verse, " My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God my savior has ransomed me. And like a flood his mercy reigns, unending love, amazing grace." I love that! Not only is it referring to us being free from our sins, it also reminds us of the chains of cancer holding on and finally being set free of pain.The burial was cold and a private burial just with family. It was bitter sweet. Hard to sit there and realize this is really it, Alice is gone. I sat in the chair in front of her casket in my heels and dress freezing yet the sun was shinning down. While I sat there the sun was beaming on me and all I could feel was warmth. It was warm like a sunny day. It was as if heaven was shinning down on me, God was telling me it was ok, Alice is home and without any more suffering, her chains are set free. She is free, of her sins, this world, the pain and suffering. She is with Jesus and I will see her again.
During the luncheon I sat with Paula and Jess for awhile. They came so far to see me, I wanted to sit with them and talk and laugh and smile. There was a lot of family and friends. Ali, Blake and the kids all came too.
Later many bible verses and notes were found on some of Alice's notepads. This is one that really stood out to me. It is so fitting and I love that it is in her handwriting.
There is a song that I hear often on my christian radio station. It makes me think of my aunts, it is sad, yet happy.
The Other Side By Colton Dixon..."Everybody's dressed in black The preacher's saying life goes too fast The memories have turned to tears Thinking back on all the years I know that you're in a better place But I'm still here missing you today It isn't easy to say goodbye But I know it's only for a little while Run up ahead and I will catch up 'Cause I'm gonna see you when tomorrow comes On the other side On the other side I bet you feel you're finally home Running down those streets of gold The kind of peace you can't explain Looking into Jesus' face I know that you're in a better place I know I'll be joining you someday It isn't easy to say goodbye But I know it's only for a little while Run up ahead and I will catch up 'Cause I'm gonna see you when tomorrow comes On the other side Where there are no more goodbyes No more pain, no more tears left to cry We will join with the angels singing their song Praising our savior, all the day long It isn't easy to say goodbye But I know it's only for a little while Run up ahead and I will catch up 'Cause I'm gonna see you when tomorrow comes On the other side...
Comments