My mom's funeral

[TLinden16]

My mom's funeral was today. The service was beautiful. Our parish priest did a wonderful job on the eulogy, and they sang some of my mom's favorite hymns. Another priest who used to be the pastor at our church and grew up with my mom (and is distantly related to us) came to the funeral, and participated in the service. I know my mom would have been happy that he came to the service. She was always very fond of him.

We were overwhelmed by the turnout at my mom's wake last night. The room was packed from the time it began at 4:00 until it ended at 8:00. I would guess that over 200 people came to pay their respects to my mom, and it truly was a tribute to just how wonderful a person my mom was.

I was really proud of my nieces and nephews at the wake and the funeral. They really handled it a lot better than we expected. They spent quite a bit of time kneeling at my mom's casket, and went over to it several times. My niece Catie read my mom's favorite prayer to her. The kids brought the gifts up to the altar at offertory during the service, and they showed a great deal of grace, poise, and respect throughout the past two days. Even the priest and the funeral director commented on how well behaved and respectful they were, and that is a direct tribute to my mom. I will always remind those kids how much my mom loved them, and remind them of what a great grandmother they had.

Thank you, everyone, for your love, kind words, prayers, good thoughts, and support. It has truly helped me through these very difficult weeks, and I've found great comfort in your support.

As for me, I'm hanging in there. I'm just taking it a day at a time. I know that I'll have my moments, and some days will be good, and some bad. My birthday is next week, and I know that will be a tough day, but my sisters have already told me that they will make sure we all get together that day (and one of my nieces told her mom what kind of cake I like). I'm going to Montreal next weekend with my sister and my niece, and I think that will be good for all of us.

Before I end this, I would like to share my mom's favorite prayer with all of you. It's the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of our church. It's a prayer that is near and dear to my family, and it's really beautiful.

Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love
Where there is injury, Your Pardon Lord
And where's there's doubt, true faith in You
Make me a channel of Your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy
Oh Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving of ourselves that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life

Thanks again, my friends. I'm so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful group of people!

Karen

 

[KathyTX]

Thank you for sharing this with us, Karen. I've been thinking of you all day...

 

[chell]

Karen thank you for the update. I'll continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.

{{{HUGS}}}

 

[Dan Murphy]

St Francis is one of Marie's favorite saints, Karen. You are, have been, in my thoughts, good wishes and prayers. You described a very nice, fitting service for mom.

Dan

 

[Mishetta]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can relate as I lost my Mom just over 6 months ago. It just doesn't seem real I haven't seen her in 6 whole months. It's very hard.

The service for your Mom sounded very beautiful. Again, I'm very sorry & if you need to "chat" please feel free to PM me. I don't have any words of comfort as I'm still dealing with the pain too but we can cry together. Sometimes it just feels better once you've let go that way.

God be with you & help you find strength.

Rose

 

[CRB#33]

Your mother's service sounds like it was a beautiful tribute to her.

There is a beautiful melody that was written to that prayer. It was sung at my mother's funeral. It is a most wonderful prayer.

Take care. You are in my prayers.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

May you find the strength you need to get though this time. Sending positive thoughts, energy and prayers to you.

 

[AZKathy]

Karen, may God bless you and keep you during this difficult time. Prayers and PD for you and your family's healing.

 

[Serena]

 

[CdnDisneyNut]

Prayers and PD to you and you family. Live one day at a time.
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi was one of my Moms favourite prayer as well.
Take care

 

[DemonLlama]

 

[Margie J]

 

[Pop Daddy]

hey , keep hanging in there

 

[browneyes]

I hope you and your sister and your niece have a good trip to Montreal.

 

[Cindy B]

sorry to hear about your mom... sounds like a beautiful service.

 

[helenabear]

Sounds like a beautiful service, Karen. I love that prayer as well... my thoughts and prayers are with you all and keep on taking it one day at a time! Enjoy your trip as well

 

[TeresaNJ]

That is a beautiful prayer, Karen. As time goes by, your feelings will be less painful, but it is still oh so hard to go through. My dad passed away seven years ago, and I miss him sooo much, it seems like yesterday that he came walking through my door with his wonderful smile, and cheery voice. Sometimes I'll see someone driving a van that looks just like my dad's and for a second I pretend that it is him, and he is still here. You have my deepest sympathy.

 

[nativetxn]

What a sad day for you my friend {{{HUGS}}} That is a beautiful prayer.

 

[wdwnutze]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Karen, Hugs and prayers for you and your family. The prayer was beautiful! I especially liked the part about pardoning. That is so true! I know it will be hard to go on without your DM but your good memories will be there to carry you on.

TC