When a Mother Dies
My mother died a couple of weeks ago. She was 89. She died in her own bed at home. It was a great transition. The funeral was a significant celebration of a full life. The minister Brian Chalmers, at the little neo-emerging church my mother ended up in wore a stole when he took the service. Then he mentioned that whenever he visited my mother and shared a thought with her she always came back with a comment or a correction. He started the sermon by explaining that he did not usually wear a stole but it was his last chance to get one up on Mary who hated ecclesiastical wear.
The funny thing was I also wore a stole for the committal I led at the cemetery after the funeral service – for the same reason. I wonder if we really do grow up till our parents die – those of us who had/ have strong parents anyway.