I will email you the short prayer service video for D held at the funeral home. You will be very moved and very proud of your former students, T, C, and E. T and C are speakers and E reads the petitions.
And many thoughts went through my mind.
Thoughts of sadness for this family. I met them as their children's teacher and then we stayed friends. I recalled how proud D's wife was when T got accepted into college. "Must have been that great 4th grade teacher he had," I joked with her.
Thoughts about how technology changes our world so much. And now, I guess, even the exiting of our world. Because we can record so easily, I guess it is an option now. Who knew?
I immediately thought back to 1988, October. Did I speak? No. Instead, I was busy trying to find a black maternity dress because I was days past my due date for my first child to be born. D and my dad exited this world in the same way - sudden heart attack. He at age 72 and mine at age 55. Neither meeting any grandchildren.
The family played highlights from C's wedding, including D's moving toast to C and walking her down the aisle.
With my dad and the technology available prior to 1988, I can only cherish photos and I do. I am also glad that I used Judith Viorst poem, What Dads Do to write my own poem last year about my dad. (I wrote about the writing of this poem HERE.) It goes like this:
(Click HERE to read Judith Viorst's poem)
Throws parties
Makes people laugh
Creates good times for all
Signs his signature in the fanciest way
Draws amazing illustrations for your school book report
Buys you just the present that you need
Visits you when you are away at college
Treats you and your friends to strawberry daiquiris.
Dads work hard,
play hard
and laugh big.
play hard
and laugh big.
I wish I still had one.
"Signs his signature in the fanciest way " I loved my dad's signature. It looked professional and it took me years to get a signature I thought came close to as cool as his. My dad passed away in August. We didn't record the service, and, even if we had, I don't think I would rematch it either. Each photo I look at starts the projector in my head running and I remember each time the photos were taken.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Sally. Thank you for every word of it.
ReplyDeleteI missed that earlier post, and am glad you shared the poem again. It's beautiful. As for our social tech, not sure about some things that are being recorded. I wouldn't want to watch again. That formal saying goodbye is not easy, and although I remember, I only want it to be that, my memory.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this poem and I am instantly moved by both versions. Thank you for sharing your words and your heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a poem! I'm with Linda, though, glad to be a member of that generation which did not record EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteWhat a poem! I'm with Linda, though, glad to be a member of that generation which did not record EVERYTHING.
ReplyDeleteMade me teary reading your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing from your heart.