glory box

Today was Donna's funeral. The weather was a perfect representation of how we all felt. Moments of dark clouds and then brilliant sunshine, until finally at the moment we were all returning to our cars after having concluded at the graveside, a summer shower poured down. I wondered how surreal it was for everyone else who has ever thought about or imagined this day, to finally have it upon us. The service was so lovely. The things said about her are things I could only hope to have said about me one day. Donna's friends and family came out in droves. My guess is probably 600 people attended and I can think of many who were unable to be there. That is a true testament to the influence and friendship she exuded to so many.

At the service, Colleen spoke of the rest that we can know in eternity, who it's for, and how we have to labour to have it. She mentioned that it was a day of victory, and that there was a sense of relief at Donna's long hard journey being over. She talked about Donna's spirit being continuously perfected.

Kevin mentioned a story in Kings about Elijah and Elisha, and how Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He spoke of how others judge us by our spirit, and what a blessing to have the kind that others would also seek to have. That, I think, is exactly how we all felt about Donna - that if we could just have a portion of what she had, a measure of her spirit. At the graveside, Kevin read those verses from Proverbs about a virtuous woman. I can't imagine any better testimony than to have those verses read in reference to yourself.

For me the most touching moment came when Donna's nephew, Brady, prayed at the graveside. In a broken voice he prayed of how her death reminds us of our own mortality. How thankful we are for the inspiration that came from her life. How we can be thankful we don't bury memories. He prayed in gratefulness that Donna was a modest woman in every way and that she was a safe example. He prayed of being thankful for being able to know her love and kindess and care for others. He prayed for Duane, Jelaine, Brett, Reid and their families by name. It was extremely moving, and impressed upon me the kind of man that Brady has become. It was a perfectly fitting tribute to an incredibly special woman.