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Today we (the good wife and I) headed 30 minutes south of town for another funeral.  Effie was a new face to us three years ago.  We spent some time with her at the Heritage Manor.  The visits always included questions about ourselves and what we were up to.  We would ask her state of affairs, but she always tempered her answers with gracious words, even if there was obvious pain and suffering.

Effie’s son, Dennis, led a service of remembrance.  I was called on to provide a final prayer.  Then, around tables (for that was the setting for the meeting) we got to meet some new acquaintances.  People from the local area.  Nunweiler, Becker, Lindemann.  All good German names of families from generations back.

Just before the service we popped in to the local seniors manor.  One of  our friends now resides there.  Doreen visited with us and then took us for a tour of the facility.  We were royally introduced as her pastor.  As we left, she hugged and kissed us (OK, she kissed my wife).

These are times of remembrance.  Of memories of the past, and of the present and for the future. 

Another day awaits me tomorrow.  Who knows what that will bring?

I enjoyed a funeral today. 

Some people wonder if there are good funerals.

Yes, there are.  Where you know the person, their heart and their story.  And the story is consistent with their life.  One that follows Jesus.

Perhaps in a quiet way.  Perhaps in prayers only heard by the wife.  Perhaps in relationships with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that is pure fun, includes teaching and love.

That’s what we saw and heard today.  Sheldon had that certain ability to be quietly gracious. 

Kind of makes you want to be like him.  Not a bad sign of a life of rightness!  The family heads back to Swift Current tonight.  Gene, his wife, will spend a few days at home, then head to one of her children’s — perhaps for the summer.  Mostly for a break. 

And we’ll pray for her and the family.  That God will strengthen and keep her in all her ways.

Not quite sure what exposures I used, but the kite was flying high!  Not sure that it was even attached to a string.

The kite flight was a part of our church picnic.  At one point we probably had more than a dozen kites vying for a space in the air — and not a large space to boot.

Not until later in the afternoon did we realize we had disturbed a kildeer and her nest.  Just in case  you are wondering, we did find the nest and protected it from harm.  Meanwhile, the kildeer did it’s best to attract us away from the nest, even appearing to be hurt, and to puff out all its plumage.

There are unexpected days, and some days that contain the unexpected.  Yesterday we were on our way to Prince Albert to visit our daughter overnight.  We had been a number of months since we had seen her and the family.

Part way there we phoned to left our daughter know when we would arrive.  She told us of a call she had received.  Someone had phoned and mentioned their father had died.  Could I phone as soon as I arrived.  She did not have the phone number readily available, so we would get it when we arrived in Prince Albert.

Both my wife, Jill, and I guessed three different men who would fit the bill.  When we phoned upon arriving in Prince Albert, confirmation was given that this was one of the men — Sheldon Elliott.  He was a gracious man, and love wordworking.  In fact, I have some of his oak wood in my garage, given to me when they moved to Swift Current last year.  The funeral will be on Monday at 2:00 with the former pastor, Bruce Dirk, providing the funeral message.  I’ll do the M.C.ing, songleading and scripture reading.  This is a family I have had ties with for well over 30 years.  Their daughter and her husband were my youth sponsors in Grade 11.  This will be enjoyable in the midst of sorrow and mourning!

Upon arrival back in Kindersley today we stopped at the post office.  I wanted to check out Sheldon’s funeral notice (a small town tradition -  posting funeral notices at the post office!).  While there I looked and saw another notice.  A lady who had affiliation with our church had passed away on Thursday.  I had visited her a few weeks ago.  Her cancer had been progressing so the death was no surprise.  I phoned the family and expressed my condolences.  That funeral will be on Tuesday and officiated by her son, Dennis Punter.  Her name was Effie Punter. 

I’ve told Jill I’d better not take any more days off.  They are just way too busy!!