I have a friend who was preparing to leave on a trip to Arizona on Christmas Eve. She fell down the steps to the basement of her home and never regained consciousness. They turned off life support and she died at noon. Betty was an elegant woman--69 years old. She was an interior decorator. What a beautiful home she and Daryl have! Betty was a devout Catholic and was eager to teach me all she could about her faith. She taught me about holy water and told me that she used it every time she entered her home and every time she left her home. She would gladly answer all my questions. I took a 6 week Lenten class with her at the Spiritual Life Center and then went to the outdoor Stations of the Cross walk with her on Good Friday.
There were 7 priests who officiated at her funeral mass--they had all benefited from the kindness of Betty Dirks and were happy to have a part in the service. The vigil on Sunday evening and the funeral mass on Monday morning were perfect tributes to her life. Her children placed a white pall with a tapestry cross on her casket before it was taken into the sanctuary. When she left that beautiful room for the last time, we all sang to her as she was taken down that long aisle. It was a long song--lots of verses. What a meaningful way to say good-bye.
ON EAGLES' WINGS
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord
"My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge
His faithfulness your shield.
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you
Near you it shall not come.
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
For to His angels He's given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand...
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord
"My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge
His faithfulness your shield.
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you
Near you it shall not come.
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
For to His angels He's given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand...
2 comments:
I am so sorry that you lost the physical essence of your friend. Partings are hard on those of us who remain. My love and thoughts are with you as you experience the mourning process.
Love you so very dearly!
Ktk
Thanks, Korrene. This loss really colored my Christmas. The day before she passed, I drove close to her house and thought about how I wanted to have her over sometime soon to talk. I have been able to reconnect with some mutual friends by seeing them at the funeral. So, that has been good.
Post a Comment