(108) A Peaceful Day ~ Elder Ephraim's funeral observed ~ prayer and quiet

It's been a hard few weeks in so many ways.

I feel like I can't keep up with the number of people we know

who we heard who have died.

I feel that we are past a certain tipping point where

this is just going to be a lot more common.

We are of that age now I guess.

***

I had a much better day considering how difficult yesterday was.

***

I went on a walk; had good conversations; and watched Elder Ephraim's funeral 

on and off as I could amidst phone meetings and making dinner and such things. 

For those who wish to see it or could not watch it but wished they could have,

one of my friends shared where it is archived.

Here it is:

May Elder Ephraim's Memory be eternal! 

***

I watched parts of it that I missed and when I was watching

the monks and novice monks giving the final kiss

(in Orthodox funerals you kiss the Gospel and also often the 

hand and forehead of the one who has left us)...

I cried.

I cried thinking/feeling that I was seeing my own 

salvation because of the prayers of these present there.

I know/know of a few people who were at this funeral;

my Husband and I prayed for them again tonight;

it is a blessing to be able to share in this small way

in the momentous week for them of loss, of grief, of hope, of prayer. 

***

There is so much grief and loss in life.

***

May God have mercy on us and save us!

Bright Sadness: My Aunt Karen's Funeral

f

My Aunt Karen's funeral was beautiful and I cried (quietly) a few times.

The sermon from the pastor was very well done, heartfelt and full of 

the Gospel and also comfort while facing deep trials and struggles.

***

I was able to do some prayers for my +Aunt by her casket this morning

and read Psalm 23 one last time (of me seeing her body) ... of course I will keep

praying Psalms for my +Aunt.... I nearly bawled after doing that but

held my wooden prayer rope tight as I did not want to break down in 

weeping and call attention to myself. 

***

I am so glad it is Bright Week, even though while being home

I am not with my beloved Husband.

I hope to visit with more family this week and that is a blessing.

Prayers for the departed can be joyful, especially in Pascha

We had a panahyda for Fr. Roman early last night

and it was wonderful to do.

I heard that his funeral was

like Pascha.

May his memory be eternal!

I hope to be posting something about him for his 40

days in an effort to remember, honour and remind

us all to pray for him!

Bright Wednesday Yarn Along

Holy Week as too busy to begin with to

work on my beautiful blanket.

It's still at section two of it being almost finished.

I did make about 4 or more washcloths,

not all pictured here.

*

As many of you know,

my beloved Mr. Husband and I are still

dealing with the sudden loss of Mr. Husband's 

adult godson, 

so everything is a bit of a blur.

I had gotten this lovely small icon of

Christ's Resurrection

at the Monastery I was at 

just a few weekends ago with my dear friend

and her sister.

I was going to use it in my Pascha basket

but with the extreme lack of sleep

and inward disorganization that hovers in grief,

I forgot. So next year, God willing.

But at least it is out now in our home 

and it is offering much beauty and consolation.

The hope in Christ and in His 

Resurrection is huge, esp in this unexpected time.

Thank God I had the house clean and set up for Bright Week

before I left.

And my friend gave me some beautiful Pascha eggs

that I have put around the house;

I hope to do a blog post about our Bright Paschal decorations

in our home.

*

I have not read books lately other than Holy Week Services.

*

I am going to be getting these two books though:

I read the one above years ago and 

it will be good to read it again.

I read the first edition of this years ago

when I was grieving the loss of a woman

who was like my first spiritual mother

who died when I was 21.

*

I am 38 now and I feel, with the 

grief I have worked through in the past and

with the prayers for the departed that we do as 

Orthodox Christians,

that I am better prepared to grieve in ways

that are more life-giving than

debilitating. 

That said, it's still a long road and I know that.

But the prayers alone have great healing power.

*

So about the yarn along button -

I can't seem to get it to work.

I have seen others use it but it just shows up as a

little jpeg box icon that you see when a picture is not

working. 

Any suggestions?

*

Do tell me what you are making and reading!

Yarn Along with us!

Bright Tuesday ~ a step forward

Today, 

as planned over a week or so ago,

I was with a friend in Princeton,

where we went quilt fabric shopping

and sewing 'notions' shopping

(I am learning new words - notions are all the things

that you need for a sewing project,

like rulers, pins, etc.)

*

I am excited to learn to sew and to make

this quilt or one based on it at any rate!

*

We also had lunch at chili's, which I had not been to before

and a nice ice cream cone in Princeton proper.

*

I am finally home now,

I have been gone for 1 week as Mr. Husband were

at a hotel near to our far away church

for Holy Week and Pascha.

Our plans changed dramatically as

we are now grieving the loss of Mr. Husband's godson...

so I did not leave the area until today,

the day after the Bright Monday funeral.

*

Every loss is different but I feel

I've been through a few that have helped me

understand a little more about what

I need to grieve;

there are books I will read;

processing tools and other things.

I am praying that Mr. Husband and I will

grieve well and be able always to pray

for the newly departed godson.

*

So we are grieving but still singing

Christ is Risen!

*

We grieve always in the hope of the

Resurrection and Mercy of Christ.

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.

*

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'.

*

Thank you from my heart.

*

Please continue to keep us all in your prayers,

they are needed.