Bright Monday ~ A Funeral in Christ's Brightness

Mr. Husband's Godson's funeral today 

on Bright Monday

was a very beautiful Paschal service.

I think we all felt a measure of healing

and of how wonderful it is to sing 

Christ is Risen!

so many times during the funeral.

It was like having a Pascha service (without the liturgy)

all over again and it was beautiful.

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I am sure that the loss will take more time

to sink in as it were

and I can't tell you how much

each comment, email and text from my

family and friends - including many who

are in my 'blog friend family'.

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Thank you from my heart.

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Please continue to keep us all in your prayers,

they are needed.

Settling in for Spring

Had my first French class today.

Taking two part time classes;

ended up doing Mon-Wed nights

and Tues-Thurs mornings!

But one thing at a time.

I must try really hard

but

have some relaxation time as well.

A tough balance.

We had Cemetery Day at my Church's Cemetery

yesterday.

One of our beloved parishioners

who died in 2006 in her very early 40's

is buried there.

So every year for Cemetery Day

I bring my Mexican blanket and spread it by her grave

and myself and others sit on the blanket

and eat by her grave

and sing Christ is Risen to her.

I will always miss her and I know I am not alone

in asking now for her prayers.

For a beautiful example of asking the prayers of those

who have gone to the Lord before us,

I encourage you to listen to this podcast about Fr. George Calciu

by Fredrica Matthewes-Green.

I am reading some great books -

The Jesus Prayer by Fredrica Matthewes-Green is one of these.

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The trip to the monastery was really wonderful.

So much so that I don't have a single picture!

I got a lot of wise counsel from one of the Sisters there

that I will be pondering over the next days and weeks.

I find it so important to go to monasteries

for counsel

for refreshment

and to be surrounded by the monastics' prayers.

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Christ is Risen!