06/03/2026
Reminder--NO service of Compline tonight since we are on the road home.
But I'll share some reflections on the day. The sudden loss of a loved one is devastating and even disorienting. This was a hard funeral to face. But the rituals of faith helped to strengthen us and bind us together, even though we didn't all share the same faith tradition. What was difficult at the beginning of the day soon gave way to the blessing of shared memories, family ties, and age-old traditions that brought solace.
We went from the service to the cemetery where everyone was invited to share in the work of putting dirt into the grave after the graveside service. It was a hot day and the work was not easy, but we found that the young men held back until the very end when they could do the bulk of the work that needed to be done. I thought it was important and good to be doing that work and I contributed some shovelfuls as well. This made things real in a way that allowed us some time for acceptance and understanding.
And then we all went to have a meal together and there was a great equality of Russian Jews and upstate Christians and family members and children gathered around the tables. Sharing a meal is so important to all faith traditions and this one was held at a Mediterranean restaurant where the family felt at home and so did we!
Platefuls of freshly made hummus swirled with olive oil and baba ganoush smokey from the grill, shot glasses of icy vodka carefully sipped, and so much love.
There is a way in which we can honor both death and life, a way that we can grieve and celebrate, a way that we can embrace others and allow ourselves to be embraced. God has been very good this day and while we will so very much miss the person who has died, we are also grateful for the memories that we gathered today as an extended family.
May our relative rest in peace and may we all continue to reach out to those we love with the reminder that time is finite and we should if at all possible, reach out our hands to love and embrace those we miss-- Brothers, sisters, college friends, cousins, old next door neighbors we haven't seen in a long time!!! Cast the net of love wide!!! There are no guarantees in this life, dear ones, but there is love. And we know love because God has loved us each so well, so let's make sure that we share it abundantly.
