The flowers were cut fresh, but none of the congregation noticed
the sweet smell of the bright red roses. Nobody spoke a word, but it was not difficult to predict each other's feelings. The dark Saturday was a peace shaking end to a long, agonizing year of pain, emotion, and disease.
December 25th, 1996 marked the last birthday that this person
would see, the last birthday this person would be with her loved ones. Ironically, the birthday of this lady, was the same day of the year as the birth of Jesus Christ. The last year was uncertain, the dime could drop at any time.
"My waist is not too slender love,
My fingers not too small;
I'm sure I would not tremble
To face the cannonball
Where the guns are loudly rattling
And the blazing bullets fly
And the silver trumpets sounding
To drown the deadly cry."
The war did not involve guns, but the battle lasted long. To strive with five children, in an old, ugly, cracker house with peeling paint on the side. Making the best of a bad situation was not just an everyday expression, but a way of life. "If we stand, we all stand together, If we fall, we all fall together."
Oh, when I'm in trouble,
Down on my knees,
When I was in trouble,Lord, remember me,
Oh, when I'm in trouble,
Lord remember me,
Lord, do, Lord, remember me."
The morning started out just like any morning. Outside of the house you could smell the dew off of the grass, you could see the sunshine pouring in as if it knew you were watching it. Something is missing though, and it almost seems like the birds, the mammals, and the plants knew that she had left, she had gone forever.
Everyone woke up groggily and put on their "Sunday Best", on a Saturday Morning. The limousine is out front in the driveway, half of the family had never sat in such a luxury car, but today, not one of the fifteen people even cared.
The procession was only seven cars long, but it was just as devastating to the family as the death of Princess Diana had been to
the Royal Family. The car ride was long, very long. Finally, the car arrived at the Catholic Church. The car parked near the front
door waiting for everyone else to exit the automobiles.
"Lord, let me make a difference,
In my short time here on earth.
Please use me as Your instrument
And make my life of worth"
One by one, the family stepped out of the luxury car. The children of the late woman had not been to this church in over 20 years. At the door was the hearse, it looked so empty, even though everyone knew what was in it, who was in it. Everyone stood around for a while, everyone was okay, this was going to go smoothly, hopefully.
The funeral home staff wheeled the cream colored casket out of the black car very carefully, not making one noise, except the squealing
of the strained black wheels. Everyone turned to see what was going
on, and after realization, lowered their heads in respect.
Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord remember me,
Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
The family followed in and took their reserved seats quietly
while the guests followed after them. The casket looked so fancy, so royal, so awakening. It was cream colored and had roses preserved in the clear glass with shiny metal bars around the long, rectangular figure. The rolling wheels were put to a stop in the front of the center aisle, everything was quiet for the ceremony to begin.
"Oh, I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me,
I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me.
Oh I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me,
Oh, do Lord, remember me."
"We gather here today. . .", after those four words I stopped listening, I just stared at the priest who has no idea what I have been going through for the last four weeks, why is he smiling?
The incense was burned, the candle was lit, the Holy Water
was dripped and the cloth had been spread. Faith in Catholicism was
never my forte, but somehow some of it made sense to me. Condolences
were made to the family by guests who could not bare to make it to the
cemetery, too painful, they're in denial.
Everyone was back in their automobiles, everyone headed to
the cemetery. Not a word was said on the way to the final resting
place, because they knew it was final. The family exited the vehicles
once again, and headed for the grassy hill. Everything had been set
up, ready for the priest to begin.
At the end of the priest's speaking each child walked up to the
closed casket, and put their rose on top of the other roses, five in total.
"God saw that you were tired,
and a cure was not to be,
so He put his arms around you,
and whispered, "Come To Me".
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands to rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best . . . "
Written by: J. Sokolof (age 15) after the passing of his grandmother...
