“Obey our Lord’s command by sharing each other’s troubles
and problems." ~ Galatians 6:2
Raymond’s job was never easy;
working in a funeral home was akin to being a wedding planner with only a few days
to plan the entire event. Almost every day
a new family, a new story, a new tragedy unfolded. Raymond understood that – but it was his
calling.
An economical coffin was placed at the front of the room,
chairs were aligned in perfect rows, soft music played in the background. He’d prepared the parlor not for the deceased
older woman but to soothe the living.
He escorted Betsy, the deceased’s sister, into the quiet
room to pay her respects where she lovingly stroked her hair and marveled at
how peaceful she looked. Raymond’s work was
done; he remained available yet inconspicuous.
Normally the room would begin filling with grieving friends
and relatives. But today – no one came. Not a single visitor reached out to mourn the
passing of her sister’s life.
Raymond’s heart sank.
“No one should ever grieve alone,” he thought as he approached
Betsy. She looked so small; alone in
such a cavernous room.
“Tell me about your sister Emily,” he asked in a genuinely
kind voice before sitting beside her.
That one question led to an hours-long outpouring of emotions as varied
as the seasons.
He learned that Emily had always been a bit of a loner, but
that her isolation deepened as she aged.
Betsy believed it came down to embarrassment.
Emily was increasingly embarrassed that at a party, she
wouldn't remember the names of friends that, just a few years ago, she would
have remembered. She'd frequently forget
that she told that same story the last time they talked.
By the time Emily was 70, she had, without having made a
conscious decision to become a recluse, ostensibly become one. Her friends stopped inviting her to get
together. A sad tale, but one he’d heard
all too often.
But he listened attentively … compassionately … tolerantly.
Finally he said, “Betsy, I’m so terribly sorry for your
loss. Emily died alone with no family to
comfort her. But today, we are her
family. It’s been my honor to sit with
you, to memorialize her life, and to remember Emily in death as we commend her
soul to eternity.”
Betsy would live the rest of her days never experiencing a
greater act of kindness than she experienced in Raymond’s company that day. If we all lived that kind of life, people
like him would never have to sit with a lonely, grieving loved one again.
It’s not good for us to be alone. God desires that we live in community with
friends, family, and other believers. Whether
one or 1,000 people come to your funeral really isn’t the point. The point is God made us to live our happiest
most fulfilled lives with others people.
Almighty Father, thank You for opening our
hearts and minds to this corporal work of mercy. May the perpetual light shine upon Emily, and
bring her peace. Amen
