HOMESPUN HOMILY BY LORI: IT’S BEEN A VERY HARD WEEK
Two our of friends died this month – both “too young.” Both funerals were celebrated this past week.
On July 1, Angela, a counselor colleague of Robert’s, died while swimming, probably due to a cardiac event. Her death was quite shocking, really. We did not know she had any major health concerns. Only 44 years old, she was one of the most dynamic, vivacious, faith-filled people we know.
She was a force of nature, and from all accounts, a very caring, skilled mental health therapist. She was single; her extended family lives back east; so, with a couple other of her friends, Robert and I helped to clean out her counseling office and clear out her apartment. When her dad and sister arrived, we connected in a small way to grieve and to share some happy, poignant memories of Angela.
Angela’s memorial Mass was well attended. It was beautiful, formal, with lots of Latin chants and old hymns. Her sister gave a heart-warming, heartfelt, and humorous eulogy. All of us Seattle friends knew how much Angela loved and treasured her family. That came through clearly in the eulogy.
Angela lived life with gusto. She did most everything full bore. She was “all in” with life and shared that zest with others. One day at the office, Robert ran into Angela and couldn’t help exclaiming, “Angela! You look like a leprechaun!” Angela was decked out in Emerald Isle green: green dress, green stockings, green shoes, even green eye shadow with sparkles.
Angela laughed her full-throated laugh and responded, “Thank you!”
She had a knack of drawing people into her enthusiasm because she was so confident in her own worth, loved by God. She will be greatly missed.
On July 17, our dear dear Yakima friend of many years, John, died. John’s death was long-expected. He battled a rare cancer, adenoid carcinoma, for 16 years. In the past 15 months, we’d made 3 different trips to Yakima when his wife called us to say, “I think this is it. You’d better come now to say goodbye.” But each time, John rallied…until this time.
John gave us such a truly amazing example of “living until you die.” Just three weeks before he died, his family took him on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. He was not able to speak much, but he was wide-eyed and alert and loving every moment, high in the sky, over sun-drenched Skykomish farmlands, surrounded by beloved family.
In his last months, he continued to jog, go to Friday evening Adoration, greet the mailman each day, play card games, especially Go Fish! He was a man of prayer, right to the end, filled with the hope and the assurance of God’s love and of life eternal with the angels, Mother Mary, and the communion of saints.
John’s funeral showed the depth and breadth of his love for others. There were people representing the different “spheres” of his life – his large family /extended family, school colleagues and students with whom he had worked as an elementary school counselor, friends – both current and also from grade school and high school. The stories and memories, along with laughter and tears, flowed copiously!
The loss of our two friends gives me much to ponder. I’m so sad. Waves of grief wash over me several times a day now. Tears flow, and I whisper prayers of thanksgiving for these dear ones and prayers of compassion for the family they leave behind.
But I’m also inspired. These two lovely people were people of great faith. They loved God and joyfully shared that love in all the circumstances of their lives. They met life challenges with the hope of eternal life. They remind us that we’re all on this same journey toward death, and onward to eternal life. And, very poignantly, they remind us to live fully until we die.
Bishop Desmond Tutu said:
“We are each made for goodness, love and compassion. Our lives are transformed as much as is the world when we live these truths.”
Our friends John and Angela lived this way. I want to follow their example, living until I die and using all my gifts, and even my imperfections, to be a power for God’s goodness in the world.
