D'Ann Stoddard has shared a meaningful story about Jane and the loss of
her brother at Christmastime. . .it makes me want to share an excerpt
from my father's funeral. Howard Andrews Barrett born May 1909 died
December 17, 1993 -- just before Christmas after a difficult battle
with cancer. The funeral was held on December 20th in Fort Myers,
Florida. Rev. Walter Edwards spoke about daddy and faith and part of
what he said follows:
". . .it is always poignant for us to confront a situation like this at
this season of the year. . .to be reminded every time Christmas comes
around that this was the time we lost a loved one or some other tragic
thing happened in our lives. And yet, it is the faith that is born out
of what happened on Christmas Day that sustains us and gives us hope
even in the face of sorrows and losses like this.
The Advent wreath with its candles have helped us to count down toward
Christmas day and in a few days, the central candle will be lighted to
remind us that Christ has come into the world. It is a wreath of
everygreens symbolic of everlasting life; it is a wreath in a circle to
remind us of the eternity of our God, and the eternity He has placed in
our own hearts.
Sad though it be to experience a loss at this time of the year, perhaps
it can also be a way for us to lay hold of what this faith is we have
been given through the gift of God's Son to sustain us, not only in the
times of grief, but to remind us who it is that we have to thank in the
good times, the blessed times, the joyful times, which are also a part
of our lives.
May God bless to each one of us the remembrance and celebration of the
life of this special man and the remembrance and celebration of the
faith that was dear to him and is exactly what we need in our lives. .
."
Rev. Edwards' words were a comfort then, as they are now. My daddy
would have liked that. . .
Anne