I listened carefully and with much openness when the husband shared his heart about his dear wife who lay peacefully in the coffin. She had been a strong lady, faithful in all her ways … right to the final days.
It was hard for me to contain myself (but I tried) – what does it mean for a man to say goodbye to his best friend and wife for 38 years? what goes on in the mind when the flood of memories come?
sure, we are told we will meet again. But right now, in this moment … there is a “pause” – a “silence”. When I heard how he wished that they could have another more 38years together … it just broke me. There was nothing packaged in the sharing. God was there listening to his pain. Jesus was there – this was not easy, not easy at all.
There were many people tonight, She had blessed many lives. She was the best shepherd some have experienced. But for that one moment, all that faded for a while .. because what I was hearing was a man who lost his best friend – faithful companion all these years, one who even helped him along the way when he was merely “comfortable” as a Christian to be a “comforting Christian”.
Many songs were sung. Prayers were offered. Hugs given. Words of comfort. And gestures of support. But as I drove back home, the picture of a man who loved his wife so much saying “goodbye” with heartfelt honesty of missing her sticks with me till now. I can’t explain how and why it does. I’m grateful there was a moment for him to express himself – and somehow, I know the gentle Spirit was there somehow moving in him, amongst the family and with us.
The vulnerability was no sign of weakness – no … not at all. It was a sign of strength when one can acknowledge a deep sadness – a genuine sadness of losing one he loved and was loved in return. It’s when we come to this place – and we honor these moments of vulnerability … God’s grace breaks through our hearts which may have been numbed by 101 factors. Oh how we need God’s grace …
There’s no need to hurry to be “okay” … there’s no need to “be strong” by our own efforts – it’s in our weakest moment .. suddenly we realize God’s hand holding us …
I guess, all of us have our own ways of grieving. Very Often we don’t know how. We wonder how should we behave? We maybe told what to feel or how we should feel? But it seems to me … in moments like these … God meets us where ever we are … and it’s REALLY “okay”.
One moment stuck with me tonight. A man’s appreciation of his beloved wife who is now “with the Lord” – the raw feelings and tears he couldn’t contain. The unrehearsed words which captured the special bond they have together.
This is the fourth memorial service I’ve attended lately. Each night when I drive home, surely one moment or two .. sticks with me and it becomes God’s ingredients transformed into food for my soul. Tonight, this was THE moment for me. God was there, God is here …
i like this post sivin. i know i wouldnt be able to understand and comprehend the depth of a husband’s love for his wife of 38 years.. but i can feel for him. this may not be similar but i woke up this morning with unending tears rolling down my cheeks. i dreamt my mum passed away. in the dream i was so heartbroken because i wished there was so much more i could do for her, and that i should have spent more time with her.
i cannot imagine your friend’s hurt, despite the comfort and assurance that he would still see her. to now wake next to no one, no one to share your personal things with… like what he’s done for the past 38 years… i cannot imagine. only the Lord can understand and comfort.
my condolences to your friend.
Thanks for being there during this tough time, Sivin. the family appreciates it. I appreciate it.
peiling, thanks for the kind words. do act on that dream you had.
My mother left us on Thursday
I think people should be required to attend one funeral every month. Most are so raw and beautiful, they rip through the facade of life we pretend we have and reveal it for what it is: one breath away from meeting your Creator and standing before Him.
It’s probably odd to say, but I do enjoy me a good funeral.
peiling – thank you for sharing.
Passionista – your mom was an amazing woman and the crowd at the wake showed how many people have been touched by her life. I’m thankful to have had one chance to see her, talk with her, sing with her, and pray with her before she left.
jeff – i think you captured it well with the two words “raw and beautiful.” This goes against so much in our daily “bombardment” with only the “bold and beautiful” or the “pretense” we choose to live with.