Brian’s Reflection: Saturday, December 15, 2007


Literally thousands of wonderful friends
have accompanied me in life, and many now
await me in the secret eternity to come.
I have enjoyed the long voyage.

- Ansel Adams, artist & photographer


We shall give thanks today at one of my congregations for the life of one of our members. Dottie was 87 when she died to this life. She had dealt with MS for many years and been in a wheelchair for about ten. Yet when she could, she would be at worship, even at our early 8:30am hour (!), faithfully attended by her husband Chuck. She was always elegantly dressed and coiffed, always a cheery smile on her face, a twinkle in her eye, and something nice to say. She is missed. One of our parishioners has started a Rogues Gallery in the Parish Hall – so those who go one ahead will be remembered.

Who really knows the details of the “secret eternity to come”. (What a lovely phrase!) We humans struggle to express our inner visions, following the hints that come to us from human hearts and minds throughout all the ages that we have been able to record. Wondering, wondering, dreaming, hoping. What amazing creatures we are. We know how to anchor ourselves, how to encourage our often faint hearts, how to soften the blows that this Earthly Life deals us. Friends and fellow journeyers of the spirit are a big part of it.

Today we will offer our last earthly accompaniment to Dottie, then continue with prayers and memories of love. We will envision her journeying on, and our hearts will be encouraged too.

May we all come to the moment being able to say, “I have enjoyed the long voyage”.

Brian+