7.3.2011

Friday night D and I went to the visitation for the family of DS. We arrived around 6PM and the line was already wrapped around the sanctuary and back around to the choir room. It took an hour and a half for us to reach the family. When we left the line was just as long as it had been when we arrived! I was amazed by the support shown to the family. As the pastor said, this was the body of Christ in action. I feel so very proud to be part of the body; so very humbled and grateful to be a part of this congregation.


Saturday afternoon we arrived early at church so the brass ensemble could practice for the funeral once more. Three ministers made remarks, there were two soloists, we sang two hymns and the ensemble played four songs. The service ran nearly two hours. We did an honor guard like we did for WR in April. I think it's a nice gesture and I'm honored to do it, but it's hard emotionally.

During the early service today I was reminded of one of the stories CS shared at the funeral. She said DS would be on 'peek patrol' when they prayed in their house. If you opened your eyes during prayer he would tattle on you. She warned us that he was in the big-league 'peek patrol' now. This morning I wasn't sure when the choir was supposed to exit the loft, so during the offertory prayer I looked over to see if the first row was moving down the stairs. I instantly thought of DS and smiled.

6.28.2011

We received word last night that one of our friends, DS, has died in a parasailing accident in FL. It's so surreal - D and I have done that very thing! Although we were tandem and the article says that DS and SS weren't. That makes me sad because they weren't together at the very end and thankful too, that she's alive. I just don't understand how going down into the water killed him because we did that on our ride. We even remarked how nice and cool floating in the water was because it was hot up in the sunshine.

We sit near his family in the balcony on Sundays and even after he quit playing tuba in the orchestra, we saw him regularly. I still remember his wedding and eating ice cream at his reception. I just can't believe he's gone. We just lost one friend in April, and now another...

4.16.2011

We lost a friend this week. He was in rehearsal on Tuesday and then had a massive heart attack on Wednesday. Woody was a trumpet player that D had performed with both in and outside of church. He was a retired pediatrician who came to the Upstate as a refugee from Hurricane Katrina and he quickly became an institution at FBC. We had his service today.


When we arrived at FBC the side of the parking lot was full of bikers with American flags. Woody served in the Air Force and these veterans came to honor him. They surrounded the front of our church and stood with those flags during the entire service.

The family asked that all members of the music ministry who attended the funeral to be pallbearers. D was an active pallbearer who helped with the casket. I was an honorary pallbearer - and I wasn't quite sure what that meant but I found out later. There were enough of us to fill five pews!

During the service they ran a recording of Woody playing his trumpet. He had such a talent for making meaningful music, and I have always enjoyed listening to him, but it was surreal hearing him and knowing he was gone. It gave me goosebumps.

After the eulogy they had all honorary pallbearers rise and exit. We lined the foyer in a double-row and then they brought the casket and the family out through our ranks. When B saw us all standing there to honor Woody, she gave a cry and then walked through us thanking us over and over again, loudly. It was at this point that I lost all composure. All of us did. We were one blubbering mass.

The Harleys led the procession to the cemetery, flags streaming behind them. Woody received full military honors. When D and I finally got to the mausoleum the honor guard had already begun to fold his flag. Then they did the 21-gun salute. B began to sob and it was the only noise besides the gunfire. It was so difficult to listen to. Then this lady, and she is definitely a Lady, stood up and began to speak about salvation. She entreated anyone who didn't know the Lord to come ask her about Him. I couldn't believe how strong she was - to lose the love of her life, the father of her children, and yet be worried about our souls. She's amazing.

It was difficult to switch gears after something like that and get ready for the Easter performance. When we arrived, we found Woody's chair in the loft had been set aside with his trumpet and a rose from his service. It was so touching. So beautiful.


Woody was definitely there with us tonight. We'll get to hear him play one last time - on Resurrection morning - I can't wait.

4.21.2010

Yesterday at 1:30PM Grandma joined Grandpa in heaven.


After we left the hospice we all congregated at Ruby Tuesday's for a meal. LRL, D and I had Arnold Palmers to drink. Ruby's version is not just tea and lemonade, it also has orange juice in it. It was quite tart.