Wednesday, January 9, 2013

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Today was the memorial service for Denny, Hubby's brother and only sibling.  It was at the Carillon at Stone Mountain down by the lake.  It was overcast, but not cold, which was nice.  

Becky, Denny's only child made all the arrangements.  At 2:00 p.m. the Carillon began playing some prearranged music, romantic and religious.  As soon as the music started I could not stop crying. 

Becky shared about her dad.  A long-time friend and former co-worker shared as well.  The friend nicknamed him Hammer.  He made some very kind and moving remarks about Denny, then he pulled a hammer, minus the handle, out of his back pocket and shouted, "SO LONG HAMMER, I'M GOING TO MISS YOU."  He then hurled the hammer in to the lake. 

Becky had a photo of her mom and dad when they were 44 and 47 respectively.  She said that was the way she remembers both of them.  Their ashes had been mixed together and equally divided between two biodegradable containers.  She poured one container of ashes into the lake and Hubby poured the other container into the lake.  Becky read a prayer she had written.

Hubby read a store out of his book that he has written about Denny and how he help their family during really rough times and then read John  11:25, "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.'" and then he read John 14:1-4, "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way where I am going."  Hubby talked about how Denny knew the Lord and he was with Him in a perfect place and he was with his beloved wife and all the other loved ones and friends that have gone before him.  Then Hubby prayed. 

Lots of tears.

Ken (Denny) and Bev at their prime

Containers with mixed ashes

Becky pouring ashes into lake

Hubby pouring ashing into lake

Hubby reading his story about Denny helping their family during hard times

L-R:  Family friend, Tee, Hubby, Joel (Bec's husband) Becky