The following is the talk I gave at my mother’s funeral today, August 13, 2015.  Many thanks to all who attended.

A Holiday, Edward Henry Potthast

You might wonder what is the meaning of a Beach Scene picture in your program and why do I have it up here on an easel. Rather unusual for a funeral. But life experience can teach some unusual lessons when you pay close attention. This painting was involved in a paradigm shift in my imagination that I want to share with you.

This painting hung in my parent’s bedroom for as long as I can remember. It never really meant a lot to me other than the colors dictated the fabric choices and set a beach theme. Not a surprising choice as our family has always enjoyed going to the beach. At age 18, Momma started visiting the seaside when her family moved down here from the north. She and Daddy spent many outings to the gulf when they were courting. Our young family enjoyed the beach as seen in old home videos and photos in our many scrapbooks. Later, we camped in our travel trailer at Gulf Shores and then happily accepted the generous invitations to stay at her sister’s condo in Destin.

So, when Momma moved to assisted living, I chose that picture to come with us to make her room feel like home. It followed us to the next two locations, as our needs increased.

Many of you know how crucial music is when living with Alzheimer’s disease. As Momma’s speech declined, we used music to bring out long-held memories. We often sang old familiar hymns, which became one way I could still hear my mother’s voice. One of those songs is one you probably know that goes like this.

” There’s a land that is fairer than day

And by faith we can see it afar

For the Father waits over the way

To prepare us a dwelling place there.”

 This is in reference to John 14:2 -4 when Jesus Comforts His Disciples by saying

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

 The song continues:

“In the sweet by and by

We shall meet on that beautiful shore

In the sweet by and by

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.”

As I sang that song to Momma last week, I looked up at that picture hanging over her bed. For the first time, my eyes opened to meaning I hadn’t seen before. The sweet children interacting on that sandy spot represented my family at a favorite place on a windswept shore. This was our promise. It had been with us as a silent reminder of things to come. That we would all gather there, renewed and whole, in a land that is fairer than day. I realized that this promise was with us every step of the last six years, even when things looked hopeless as we watched the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease take hold. But by faith we kept moving, expecting God to guide us and He did – right into His loving arms.

Now, I hold on to that promise and eagerly await our reunion with the family. We all love going to the beach.

I hope we will see you there.