Tonight some friends joined Justin and me at Sweet Tomatoes for the annual celebration of Timmy's birthday and funeral remembrance. My friend, Nancy W. joined Terri T., Mike S., Michael, Betty, Justin and me. Judy was recovering from oral surgery so couldn't join us. I shared coupons online with everyone and no one had to pay full price, including Justin and me, as I now qualify for the senior discount, too.
It was a good day to be with friends, starting this morning with our Monday Bible study on Tuesday. Pastor had an appointment he couldn't break on Monday so we all agreed Tuesday worked for us. After class had ended, we were slow to get up. I mentioned how everyone except Pastor and Betty were with me 15 years ago today, and the reminiscing commenced. At first I hesitated bringing it up but am happy I did. Kristi mentioned finding Timmy's service folder in some items her dad had given her from her mom's dresser drawer. And she told how she recently said to Bruce that Timmy was going to greet them in heaven while wearing a party hat. (He'd worn a birthday hat to church the Sunday after my party). Love these type of memories!
Some ladies remembered the long, long line of cars leaving the church, heading over to the cemetery, Jackie saying it was 'longer than for the Kennedy's!'. Others talked about how long they stood in line at the visitation at the funeral home, which went more than an hour and half past the scheduled time. People just kept coming. Even two fellows we'd met in November on our Mediterranean cruise came up from Clearwater, Nick and George. Amazing....
One lady talked about how impressed she was with our families, and us, how we seemed to be handling things so well. She said it was more like we were comforting them, instead of the other way around, which really helped. That was the most awesome thing to hear, I was blown away to hear it from this unexpected source. I repeated what had been said in Pastor Prange's sermon that day, how not one person from the congregation nor from the family came to him concerned about Timothy and where he was. Not one! Kristi speculated about who we might see in heaven after they'd been at this funeral, to see how believing Christians handle something like this. That is my prayer!
