Saturday, September 15, 2012

Today is a gift

Today... I've been wondering about this day for a while.  My dear friend Kathy has been really sick for 6 months.  She was the receptionist at our church who was amazing at directing and welcoming and just making everyone feel like they were heard when they called.

That title, as important as it was, and she did it so amazingly well.... was the ppps.. on her resume of "things that Kathy Fairley kicked butt at in the world."

Today was her funeral. I am the funeral/memorial service planner at our church.  This was an actual funeral as there was a casket.  It was hand made by her son in law.  It was quite beautiful.  The funeral home brought it and we put it in a room.  I wasn't prepared for my emotions... I directed them to the room and then I stood there and looked at the casket and realized that Kathy was in there, I mean, her body was.  I teared up.  I knew that Kathy was in Heaven, but I knew her earthly body was in there, it just freaked me out a bit.

Fast forward, the service began with her grandkids escorting the casket in.  It was very moving. Then the service ensued. Morris gave a great message about how Kathy lived her life here and that she began her eternal life by living here. There were tributes made by her friends and family.  The theme was that Kathy engaged with people.  She asked questions about her friends, she remembered and she explored the world and met people.  Kathy was the most interesting person who had the most amazing stories to tell, but you would never know that, you would come away from a conversation with her having just told her all of your information.  This world is mourning the loss of Kathy, but Heaven is rejoicing.  I'm so sad and so happy at the same time.

The parting shot of her service.... her grandkids escorting the casket out.  Zeek, who had shared at the service about his Grandma being "awesome" and how young kids today throw around words like 'awesome' and 'epic' and 'amazing' and how his grandma was awesome, in the true sense of the word.  He'd given that really "spot on" message... and then he walked the casket out with his cousins and sibling... he was at the head of the casket just having both hands on and head down... it literally made me sob.

People stayed and visited and food was served and I had this ongoing memory of other services where I was "on" and Kathy was at the front desk saying, "You're so good at this, you really are."  She was such a good cheerleader.  I really just love Kathy so much.  As this day has wound down, I've just been pondering about how we can be here in this world and make a difference, not in a big way, but in the slow and steady way like Kathy.  Just find the joy in life and engage in people and show Jesus' love.  In the middle of her service a homeless guy wandered in.  He was scruffy, he smelled a little, but he wanted a small Bible, one he could stash in his pack.  I found him one, he asked, "How much?"   I told him to take it... he saw the cookies and said "Cookies!"  I gave him one. He was so thankful.  I couldn't help but think that Kathy would LOVE that.

Kathy, I know you wouldn't want your service to be about you, it was and it wasn't.  It was about you and Jesus.  It was beautiful.  I love that you're in Heaven. I look forward to the day I see you again friend.  I love you.

Annie