Easter is a happy, crying day for me, and for many people that I know. Our Sunrise Worship featured "I Know That My Redeemer Lives", of course, a necessary component of Easter celebration. At just the right moment, I found myself behind the church door, listening to the congregation singing outside about our Savior's victory. I just wasn't ready to read through it while they sang, so stepped away. It seemed Terri was having a tough time with it as well, as she asked how I got away and left her sitting there to cry by herself. This hymn was sung at both our loved ones' funeral services, which is why it's so special to us. The reason that hymn is chosen for funerals is that the message is so perfect, spelling out our faith in the Lord and our hope for eternity. I go out on a limb to say that I'll probably never be able to sing that hymn again, but the message stays as powerful as ever--I Know That My Redeemer Lives!!!
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The Easter breakfast was wonderful and delicious, congrats to the men and ladies who did all the work! My dear friend, Cindy, who was one of Timmy's teachers at Precious Lambs Preschool, came into breakfast wearing a vibrant yellow outfit and announced to me, "I am wearing Timmy's yellow for Easter!" One time she wore a yellow and black outfit to church and he told her he liked her "lellow" dress, so now when she wears yellow, especially at Easter, well...............
We just wrapped our arms around each other, rocked and cried together. Not only sad tears, but happy ones as well, remembering the good times, good memories. That hug meant everything to me, everything.
Cindy holding her granddaughter, Shiloh. Two lovely ladies! *
Another task I did this morning was serve as Greeter on this high visitor/guest day. I handed out 4 of our goodie bags to visitors. The Festival Service was absolutely lovely, a good house. The lilies were fragrant and added much to the celebratory feeling of our service. AND, the choir, in our robes, sang "Jerusalem, the Golden", accompanied by Suzanne on her viola and Robbie on the organ. For all the weeping earlier and during, somehow I managed to get through this fabulous anthem without weeping! No blue tears on my white choir stole...
*Something special was added to our Holy Week worship, having a Resurrection Tree as an outward symbol of Jesus' Passion. One of our members ingeniously converted our CHRISTmas tree into a cross. On Palm Sunday it wore palm branches, Maundy Thursday-a purple drape, black drape on Good Friday, and today---flowers! People were encouraged to bring flowers to stick in rubber bands on the trunk and cross pieces and it looked so pretty. Several people took family pictures with the cross as the backdrop or centerpiece.
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My fabulous day continued after worship when I took two Easter lilies over to Timmy's gravesite. As I was sweeping the marker and such, I looked up and spotted Joe visiting his wife's gravesite. I didn't stick around to chat with him, he needed his time alone, and my boy was waiting for me at home! Justin was stopping by on his way from church, going to his father's house. I gave him the Easter basket for which he was most appreciative. He also picked up some stuff to take along including a chocolate cross for Maya, which, by the way, stayed the proper shape!! Justin also nicely carried my soda cases upstairs for me and the garbage bags downstairs. I should be set with soda now until it's time for me to go up north.
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After he left to have his Feast, I got busy at my desk working on the newsletter and the "Keeping the Faith" single-page letter I send to those away from the congregation. I won't have to "worry" about the newsletter now while I'm away, as I got it pretty well started. I'll just have to fill in a few blanks when I get back. As I was working, my doorbell rang. Hmmm, who could that be? Here, on my doorstep, stood Olivia with an Easter gift and card for me. Her mom, Sandy, was still working her way up the stairs. They didn't want to come in as they were leaving for TN and just stopped in to wish me a Happy Easter on their way out. Wow, it just can't get any better...
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But, it could!!! My Feast was at the home of my dear friend, Dee. She is so kind to include me in the family celebration, the second time we've been asked to come and share with them. Her husband makes a mean lamb, and we had mashed potatoes and green beans, two of my favorites! Dee served bread pudding for dessert, with rum sauce, again another favorite. Justin would have loved it, would have loved being there with another of our extended families in Orange Park! Easter joy abounding!
