A Community of Somehow Singers

One year ago on January 17th, we gathered in the chapel at Gordon College to celebrate Jud’s life. Unlike today, the weather was good.  Chilly, but good.     Many  of you came to remember Jud.  Thank you. It helped to huddle with friends and family at a place I love.

When it’s all over and done, what’s left?  Much. I spent part of today sitting in a comfortable chair, remembering and being grateful, while watching the snow frost the marsh and cover the deck.

Death, like a sneering grinch, seeks to snatch life from those left behind, a little like the Grinch tried to steal Christmas in the book by Dr. Seuss.   I love that story. Eventually, it’s not about the stolen stuff.  It’s about growing the heart of a Grinch and it grows, not through hand wringing but a hand holding  community of singers.   The  Whos down in Whoville did their merry best and sang without “any presents at all.”  They sang for nothing and that had a wonderful effect on the Grinch,”Well, in Whoville they say-that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.”

Maybe, that’s how some view death and funerals. All the song sucked out of life, leaving only the hollow, hopeless sound of the Enemy whispering, “Death won.”  Death grabbed the goods and ran,  and worst of all, stole the song.   All that remains are the remains of someone no longer with us.

Today, I remember not the sting or stench of death but the songs. Songs we sang together, songs others played or sang…  a Net full of singers.  As I reflect, deep inside me The Song lives, in part, because Jud kept singing from the dark diagnosis until his death.  Psalm  63 that comforted him says in verse 6,”Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.”  And he did.

So how can I do less? While I prefer a duet with Jud, I still sing. Not because I’m so good or brave, I’m neither, but simply because I must.  Do or die.  This one small dash that we have isn’t much but it’s all we’ve got.  I choose to sing along the way, to listen and learn from the songs of others.  And there are times, through these posts and your comments on and off line, that it seems like we’re holding hands and singing together, like those Whos down in Whoville,  a God blessed and loved community of Somehow Singers. 

Who knows who’s listening and may decide to join us on the journey, just for the cost of our song.  So sing on, dear Net.  We’re one day closer to joining a chorus too numerous to count; a choir of angels, saints, family and friends who’ve gone before, singing to the Source of all our songs along the way.

“In a loud voice they sang,’Worthy is the Lamb…’ “(Revelation 5:12)

And so we sing somehow, until…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This story has been viewed 5 times

6 people HEART this story