Yesterday we committed Rich’s body to the earth, and then had a service to remember him. We did things a bit differently. We knew that Rich would not have wanted a “viewing” (for the Israeli’s reading this – that is where the body is viewed in the casket), so we had the burial first.

This was mostly close friends and family attending. I had asked at the cemetery if the earth was stony enough to find a rock to throw on Rich’s grave at the end of the burial service. They arranged for there to be a bucket of stones. There was something so final about watching the casket lowered into the ground. There were seats for the family to sit at the front… Rich’s sister and I were the only ones who opted to sit, and a couple of other friends sat with me. Yet, despite the tears, there was a sure knowledge that this is not the end. A day is coming when the trumpet will sound and the dead in Christ shall rise, and we who remain will meet our Lord in the air… what an amazing truth.

The Pastor shared about the Jewish custom of throwing dirt or stones on the grave and invited anyone who wanted to do so. I picked up a small stone, and watched it fall on the casket (the earth is only added after the vault is closed here in Michigan – so many laws about burials here…). I said goodbye to Rich himself on the 16th, but now I was saying goodbye to his clay vessel. How many goodbyes? Too many… and then I remember, no, it IS, “l’hitraot” – see you later….

The funeral itself was so very special. I have asked for a recording to be made and hope to make it available to you when I can. All the music were selections of Rich’s favorite songs. I sang “Who Am I…” As I stood before the crowd (the church was filled, standing room only), I realized how amazed Rich would have been. We had a picture of him up front. I could just imaging Rich saying, “Get rid of that, they don’t need to be looking at me, I’m not the one that is really important.”

As I stood there, thinking about the words of the song I was to sing, and the things so many people shared about Rich, I realized what a truly humble man he was. I had always been worried that he looked down on himself. But I realize now, that he merely had a realistic view of who he was… a sinful man saved by the amazing shed blood of Jesus his savior. I realized how much that song “Who Am I” expressed Rich’s heart. God, in His goodness, enabled me to sing it without crying.

I begin to think that humility is something that cannot truly be recognized until it is not there. Because, by its very nature, humility does not seek to be recognized, but to give honor to others.
Rich’s favorite song was “As a Deer”. The second verse goes like this: “You are my friend and you are my brother even though you are a king…” The Pastor shared how much this view of Jesus left Rich in awe, that the king of the universe the creator of heaven and earth, would call Rich friend and brother. He then shared from different verses in the book of John, that explained how Rich could have that kind of relationship with his Lord.

Thank you all for your prayers. It was truly a special time. Now come the days that follow, learning to live without my husband – but O, I am so thankful for the time we were together. I was truly blessed to have such a wonderful man as my friend, companion, and husband.