TheBanyanTree: He Sang At His Funeral

[NancyIee at aol.com]

He was a choir director, and had once sang for the Pope, (in a group of  
singers gone to visit Italy) He was a big man with multi-talents, appearing in  La 
Cage, Fiddler On The Roof, and solo acts and performances in the Southeast  
U.S.
 
I was in the congregation one Sunday, a few years past, visiting this  
church. I came a few weeks and liked the friendliness, and the teachings. I sat  in 
the congregation as the choir entered, processing in, two by two, singing  
something very familiar, a hymn I recalled from my childhood.
 
The choir director brought up the rear of the procession, reached out as he  
passed me, took my arm, and pulled me into the aisle, where I could do nothing 
 but follow.  I was, from that moment on, in the choir.
 
He was ill. I did not realize it at first, and this past New Year's Eve, he  
passed away. I was honored to be there, waiting with his family, celebrating 
the  New Year with him, as he had wished.
 
And, at his funeral (which he had time to plan, since he knew early on that  
his days were numbered) there was read, poems he had written, scripture that 
had  special meaning to him, and music he loved. And, of course, "Amazing 
Grace" to  be sung.  He had sang it when he had been on his Italy trip, years 
before,  and it had been taped . .and now played.  My friend sang at his own  
funeral.
 
And, afterward, videos of his many performances were shown for those who  
stayed for the party. He was a natural comic, and the hall rang with laughter at  
his filmed antics. He was so full of life and passion and laughter, and  even 
his funeral could not subdue his outrageous spirit. That was as he  planned.
 
Oh, how I miss you, my friend.