Reflections of a funeral in November

Home after Janet's
funeral and repass
was asked to sing
and agreed--
The Lord's prayer
and a song of Shalom,
peace.

Mila and I arrived
5 minutes early
to 35th and Bryant
North--

it's only residential
no church in sight
Jamila called Ray
go south--

Bryant Avenue South
got on Lyndale headed south
pulled over to let Mila drive
so I could practice my songs without distraction.

On 35W traffic stopped
went some
but long stops in between.

Made it to the church more than 20 minutes later

Sat down in a pew
listened for a few
the obit was read
some testimonies given
so wonderful indeed
and humor too--

Then the minister spoke
then released the congregation--

No song sung
no notice given
I told Mila
it was only willingness required of me
would I do as they asked?
of course, for Janet.

So proud of my children
first one, then the other
and Jamila surprised me
when she said she would speak
as she'd said just a few moments earlier
when I asked
no, she didn't like publicly speaking--

But, she waited her turn behind a rambling man
and she spoke so truly
of who grandma was
spending time with her
taught her to accept
show mercy and forgive--

Ah yes, even this
prompted aunt Carolyn
to say to forgive
and then Clifton told a story of
how when Janet's purse was snatched
shortly after cashing a check
a couple young men had seen
and they chased down that young man and beat him
they made him return Janet's cash in person--

And the story goes
Janet did not rebuke or shame him
but took him under her wing
she was a woman of compassion--

But was this a true story?
or embellished and grown
God only knows
God only knows

I loved this woman
I believe she loved God
As much as she knew how
Yet by seeing some bitter and un-mature fruit
so hard, so sour
God only knows
God only knows

I love her still
and love her fruit
and the fruit of the Lord
that is sending the sun, rain, and tillers...
so that THE SON could be seen in the lives of these and those
who saw such mercy and compassion in this woman
when in fact...it is the love of God that truly
has unending compassion and is The Truth.