Psalm
84:10-12 (NIV)
Better
is one day in your courts
than
a thousand elsewhere;
I
would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than
dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For
the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the
Lord bestows favor and honor;
no
good thing does he withhold
from
those whose walk is blameless.
Lord
Almighty,
blessed
is the one who trusts in you.
The
funeral service for Kathy was held Tuesday, November 13, 2012.
Visitation began in the chapel at at 11:30 AM and the service began
at 12:00 noon. There were testimonials in her honor by family,
extended family, and friends.
Today
I would like to include two tributes of mine made that day. The
first is a poem I wrote on her 50th birthday in 2010. It
was printed in the funeral service program. The second is a poem I
completed the morning of the funeral and shared by reading it during
my tribute that day to Kathy.
To
Kathy on her 50th Birthday
Like
a fresh breeze on a stifling day,
You
came into my life this very decade,
You
brought your kindness and thoughtfulness,
You
brought friendship and faithfulness,
You
brought your love and gifted me,
With
thoughts of you that never leave;
My
life is now grounded in intimacy.
Thank
God for bringing us together at First Church,
Where
we shared smiles in Mitch’s class,
And
enjoyed weekend dates like clockwork--and artwork,
And
permanently set our relationship in place,
With
a divinely guided wedding at North Beach,
Where
our vows sealed us into a single family;
For
once and always your birthdays will mean to me,
The
beginning of everything fresh and free,
The
end of paralysis, the arrival of peace.
Assurance
of Authenticity
Kathy you made my days
By standing humble and true,
Your steady strength was incredible
Your major impact—you.
Kathy you made my days
By standing humble and true,
Your steady strength was incredible
Your major impact—you.
I
regret when I have reproached you
For finding me--as you would say--”sweet”,
For now I see what sweetness is
It is what all should be--
For finding me--as you would say--”sweet”,
For now I see what sweetness is
It is what all should be--
It
is your hopeful smile,
Your winning generosity,
Your simple grasp of facts
Filled with humility.
It is your kind insistence
That no worthwhile effort is void;
It is your reliable innocence
Saving me from despair;
It is your steady focus when at work or play
Trusting that passion's disciplines
Will reap abundant things.
My dearest you have gifted me --when all is said and done --
With love's powerful insights,
With childlike faith,
The assurance of authenticity.
Your winning generosity,
Your simple grasp of facts
Filled with humility.
It is your kind insistence
That no worthwhile effort is void;
It is your reliable innocence
Saving me from despair;
It is your steady focus when at work or play
Trusting that passion's disciplines
Will reap abundant things.
My dearest you have gifted me --when all is said and done --
With love's powerful insights,
With childlike faith,
The assurance of authenticity.
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