The Day of Maggie's Funeral

Mother of Pearl, Pleuroptya ruralis

Friday, the day of Maggie's funeral, was a beautiful summer day, blue sky, white clouds, refreshing breeze.   Captain Butterfly chauffered me and J - poor Jean could not make it, she is having a very bad time healthwise at the moment.    One of our elders gave the talk.  He spoke about Maggie's life, and about the hope for her, when God will wake her from the dreamless sleep of death.  It was just right - a good balance.

The music was lovely.  Starting with the Skaters Waltz (Emil Waldteufel) - and one of the things I learnt about Maggie, along with her having 9 great great grandchildren! - was that she was a keen skater in her youth.   The service ended with Bolero (Ravel).  And we sang "See Yourself When All is New" during the service.

And I must put in a word of praise for the Rustington Manor Hotel, where there was a reception afterwards.    Everything was ready when we arrived - an excellent cold buffet set out - tea, coffee, water and fruit juice all available - and comfy chairs and tables.  We were looked after by the staff, and it was a pleasant occasion.

The funeral was well attended.  Of course - it was for Maggie, a much loved sister.

Jean and I managed to get out on the work on Saturday morning, and we had a productive time (I hope) including a fruitful error in which my driving Jean to the wrong road (one of my special skills) caused her to find the door of a lady she had been meaning to call back on, but had forgotten which house. 

There was an exquisite tiny moth on our balcony doors the morning of the funeral.  The light shining through its wings showed all the stained-glass detail. And in that exquisite artistry and engineering lies our hope - because we see the qualities of our Grand Creator, Jehovah, and the tender love he has for his creation.

And Maggie was the work of his hands.   He longs for the time when he can see her again.  But he will not wake her until the whole earth is under the loving rule of the Kingdom of God.