The funeral season is well known to funeral directors and pastors.
Usually the time frame for an unusual amount of deaths is over the Christmas season and into the first few months of the new year.
Perhaps, in northern climates, this deals with the dismal season called winter. Perhaps, during the Christmas season, this deals with depression and suicide. Perhaps people just run out of breath.
Because that is really what happens. I was with a dear friend of mine who passed away as the year was finishing. As she drew her last breath, there was a completion of life, and then she was gone. When there is no breath, there is be no life.
This Christmas I was a part of three funerals, all held in a week’s time. Two of them were ones in which I was the officiant. The other I sang at and was also in on the planning. All three were related to my parent’s past. One was my uncle, another a friend from his childhood, and another double-dated with my parents.
Oh the fun! And I say that with all seriousness. I enjoy being a part of funerals where there is a strong witness to the life that Jesus Christ gives.
With this as a background to get me going, I’m starting to write a novel. The idea of writing a book has been on my heart for a few decades.
The main character is a funeral director. Out of his character I’m hoping to express the joy of dying, the tensions of serving as a “friend to death”, and a realization of the phrase, “God has a wonderful plan for the rest of your life, and death is part of it.”
I’m calling the book – “THE DIRECTOR”.
And so, the writing has begun. My mom had a great phrase when things didn’t seem to be getting done as fast as they might have been – “as slow as molasses in January”.
Well, it is January . . . I’ll keep you informed on my progress.