His children--6 of them-- now all married and in their own rights good people, took part in the service. As I listened to reminiscences or memories they shared I couldn't help but think what I would share if I was in their shoes and I was eulogizing my dad. I'm not saying this to be morose, or to hurry anyone's demise, but funerals are designed to make you stop and think.
Many things came to my mind about my dad, and mom for that matter. As the older daughter of these two unique people, I have a lot of memories. Some of those are possibly unique to me--but many are shared with others. One of this neighbor's sons began by saying that his dad would tell the same story, because he liked to tell it, and you'd listen because of that fact alone until you've heard the story a dozen times. Immediately I though of the Black Pontiac story. It's capitalized because it is one of THOSE stories. I love watching my dad tell that story. I've heard it more than a dozen times. I can anticipate the next line and begin chuckling to myself long before I know dad is getting close to the zinger of an ending.
In the funeral the kids talked about their parents being a team in their family's business and in life. I have seen that with my parents. How they can still love each other after working all day together--for YEARS! How they know the other one so well that few things surprise them, but they still try. It is inspiring and heart warming and fills me with wonder.
They spoke about their dad's business and the "almost done" quality of his work. How their dad (and electronics repairman) would stop on their way out of town for a vacation to help some granny adjust her TV before they hit the road. Many times I remember picking up a part being part of the day's activity or running to a customer's place on their way to dinner.
A life long friend of the deceased spoke near the end of the service today of the joy they shared as boys and the appreciation he had of a true, life long friend. Those kind of people are rare, and to have one is a real treasure. My parents have a few like that in their lives, and because of my parents' decision to live in the same place and put down permanent roots, I have those in my life too. he is absolutely right--they are treasures.
The whole morning was a tender reminder of the blessing I have to have parents with me still who not only love me, but love each other--still. My parents recognize and value their family and they will be the first to say we are not a perfect example of anything, I know they keep trying because it is worth it to them. And that makes it all the more worth it to me.
I'm even more grateful to have them here still, and while I live 900 miles away, my heart is always closer than that. Separation is only insurmountable when your heart isn't willing to be there. and that is not the case with my parents. What a tremendous blessing. Like they always have been to me.
