Death and Distraction

This past spring, my neighbor of 31 years died after a long struggle with cancer. Her illness seemed to tranform her and create a newness of self that became appealing to many who shyed from her. She always was her true self to me and she treated me like a family member. She left the planning of her
funeral service to me with the one exception of music which she had chosen. I was to select readings and work on vaious particulars of the service. As her family members were of diverse spritual backgrounds, I opted for readings that seemed inclusive and non threatening to the unchurched.

But I felt that in comforting them, we were forgetting the journey of the
departed one. It seemed appropriate to address the 23rd Pslam in a more
direct way to her. So, I paraphrased it in more or less my own words and directed it to her in this way:

            God is like your shepherd

         You can never lack for anything

           You will be fed and have rest in a lush green field.

          You will tarry by flowing waters of comfort.

          God will bring your soul to wholeness,

          And lead you in all ways,

         For God loves you completely.

          Even when life ebbs away

           And death seems close,

         You will never fear,

         For God is ever with you,

      And God's love will sustain you.

       Your place is prepared for you

     And your troubles will melt away.

         God touches your forehead with healing oil,

      And fills your cup, ever full.

        God's love and compassion

           Will be yours always.

       And God will live with you

        As you will live in God, forever.

It was one last gift to her and my gift to those left here.
May it be a blessing to you and those you love.

R