“Break It Down!”

Generally, people tend to think of funerals as sad affairs. And, regardless of your religious bent, or your spiritual inclination, there is usually some degree of lamentation. As a PK, I understand the Christian principle, that to be absent the body, is to be present with the Lord. Still, as mortals, we, the survivors, are frequently, if not usually, sad. But not always!

I attended a funeral yesterday. The deceased lived 97 years. By all accounts, and there were many, he didn’t just exist on this planet for 97 years, he lived! He lived to serve, and he served for the duration of his life.

In our community, funerals are often referred to as Homegoing Services. Yesterday, that euphemism seemed apt. More than half a dozen speakers from different arenas of the decedent’s life paid tribute to him, and they not only appeared glad to be there, but they left me with the impression that they wouldn’t have considered not being there, or being there and not speaking about the life of the dearly departed, and the many ways he impacted both his community in general, and themelves in particular.

The Eulogist understood the assignment. Moreover, he deftly incorporated the comments of the litany of speakers to present his subject in a manner that was elegant; yet also underscored by simplicity. After citing his own personal examples of being tutored in life lessons by the man whose funeral he was preaching, he circled back to demonstrate the art of beginning with the end in mind. He had established as his subject: Amen. He concluded by defining Amen as, I agree, or so be it, or it is so. Then in reference to the entirety of comments, including the homily, he implored those assembled, “Let the church say Amen.” And the church said…”Amen!”  

I’m done; holla back!

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Amen!