----- Original Message ----- From: "Bunchuck, Teyet" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 9:22 AM Subject: FW: > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: Vicente, Vicki > >Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 9:06 AM > >To: Bunchuck, Teyet > >Subject: FW: > > > > > > > > > > > >>Subject: MOM'S LAST LAUGH..... > >> > >> > >>>* > > >>> > > >>>Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. > >>I > >>>was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my mother. > >>>She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so Always > >>>supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of > >>tissues > >>>while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, > >>>encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life. > >>> > >>>When Mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my > >>brother > >>>had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the > >>>27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her. I > >>>counted it an honor. > >>> > >>>"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before > >>>me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the > >>>cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her > >>>husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. > >>> > >>>All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been > >with > >>>our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the > >>doctor, > >>>seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with > >the > >>>Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone. > >>> > >>>I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. > >>>Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young > >man > >>>looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and > >>>placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to > >>>sniffle. > >>> > >>>"I'm late," he explained, though no explanation was necessary. > >>>After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep > >>>calling Mary by the name of 'Margaret'? > >>> > >>>"0h" "Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her > >>>'Mary,'" I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the > >>>other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and > >>>fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway? > >>> > >>>"No, that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced over at > >us > >>>whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters." > >>>"That isn't who this is, I replied.." > >>>Isn't this the Lutheran church?" > >>> > >>>"No, the Lutheran church is across the street." > >>> > >>>"Oh." > >>> > >>>"I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Sir." > >>> > >>>The solemnizes of the occasion mixed with the realization of the man's > >>>mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands > >>>over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew > >>gave > >>>me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only the situation seem more > >>>hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. > >He > >>>was laughing, too, as he glanced around, deciding it was too late for an > >>>uneventful exit. I imagined Mother laughing. > >>>At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking lot. > >>>"I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled. He said his name > >>>was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, asked me out for a > >cup > >>>of coffee. > >>> > >>>That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended > >>>the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. > >>>A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was > >>>the assistant pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right > >>>on time. > >>> > >>>In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God > >>>gave me love. This past June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding > >>>anniversary. > >>> > >>>Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them, "Her mother and my > >>Aunt > >>>Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven." > >>> > >>>------------------------ Jesus said, "if you are ashamed of me," I will be > >>>ashamed of you before my Father." > >>> > >>>If you're not ashamed Pass this on . . . only if you mean it. > >>>Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. > >>>He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I would be > >>nothing. > >>>Without him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all thin Gs through > >Christ > >>>that strengthens me. Phil 4:13 If you Love God, and are not ashamed of > >all > >>>the marvelous things he has done for you. Send this to ten people and the > >>>person who sent it to you! > ___________________________________ UPDATED Posting Guidelines: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/guide.html FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
