JXXX Memorial Service June 2014
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Transcript of JXXX Memorial Service June 2014
Words for JXXX’s Memorial Service June, 2014
Karen G. Johnston Welcome & Opening
We gather this day to give witness to the life of JXXX ____ _____: mother/ grandmother/beloved colleague/teacher of our children/foster parent/ community leader/seeker of justice. An earthly journey has come to and end; another, unknown and ungraspable to us, ahead. We name it many things – Heaven among them, Peace our most ardent wish. We stand together, witness to JXXX’s life, her companionship with us and ours with her. Her beloved family feels the blessing and great fortune of your companionship on this day: JXXX’s three children: __________; JXXX’s granddaughter: ________. Her larger, loving family: _________. We mark this moment, sorrow in our hearts, doing our best to turn towards it, not away. It is good that we do this together; it is good that we do this in community.
Moments of Stillness
We should not seek silence, for the living world is never silent. Still, let us seek a stillness in our hearts and minds, one that contains a tune of birdsong and windrush; of cars along the street and our body’s own gurglings. Let us welcome such a stillness that we might settle more fully into this moment. Stella will sound the chime once to start us off; three times to bring our stillness to a close.
Prayer of Gratitude
Dearest earth, who gives birth to all creatures, we have broken your ground today to return one of your beloved home. We thank you for your gentle welcoming. Let us say thanks for the moments our lives touched JXXX’s and hers touched ours – let sing praise for the seeds she planted with her great love for teaching and for guiding eager minds and hearts. Let us dwell in that place called Gratitude, for the ways in which Jane made her presence known and for the ways she touched the lives of so many people: as a community foster parent; as a teacher here in _______, in _______, and at _______; as a contributor to the Reinventing Justice effort here in _______; in her advocacy work with the community organization NAMI ~ National Alliance on Mental Illness. Let us appreciate the small loves of this woman: gardening, tennis ~ both playing and watching a good match; her walking along the ocean in Maine. Let us find in our hearts a gratefulness that in the final weeks of JXXX’s life, her heart surgery in April allowed her to experience regained energy, circulation in her toes so that she could feel the beach sand from along the Green River, and a chance to just walk this world without being winded and defeated. Let us sing praises for the husband she loved and lost not so long ago, how he carried her in his heart, her photo at 19 in his wallet for the length and breadth of their marriage. Let us shout hosannas for the three children she brought into this world, with whom she would break out the Joni Mitchell or Carole King or Helen Reddy, singing and dancing; who, when the question was asked in 2006, “What was the greatest gift you have been given?’ she answered unequivocally: “my children.” Let us sing hallelujah for the grandchild she cherished, about whom she spoke to anyone who would listen, through whose eyes she saw and re-‐saw the world; in whom she took constant delight. May the regret of “too soon” and the longing of “not enough” take its place in one of the side rooms, not wholly banished or exiled, but given proper accommodation, so that Gratitude for what has been and Memories of Joy have the best rooms in the house of our heart.
Let tears shed in the wake of JXXX’s passing be of connection, not isolation; Let our sorrows be a salve to those past hurts that have become tender again.
Closing Blessing & Commendation Death reminds us of our common bond, one aspect of this mysterious, life-‐giving web of interconnection of which we are a part; May it move us toward compassion with each other. Death reminds us that so much is not of our making; May it connect us with humility that enriches us, not belittles us. Death reminds us that each of is not only mortal, but imperfect; May this prompt us to remember Jane wholly, taking delight in her gifts; finding peace with his/her flaws, as well as our own. We commend these earthly remains of whom we once knew to be JXXX, but whose soul has departed and whose memory lives on in us and in the stories we tell and re-‐tell. As we lower these ashes into the ground, I ask you to bring your most compassionate intention, religious, spiritual, or otherwise, to the letting go we must now all do and be. It is most hard for her family to say good-‐bye, so let the rest of us add our prayers, intentions and energies, so that the release of their beloved may bring peace.