Monday, April 6, 2009
I eulogized Dad on 9/5/08 and his cremains were laid to rest in Long Island Sound. The weather that morning was sunny and hot and the sound was quiet and still, as if in preparation for the offering it would soon receive. Bob and Linda Locke, Pat Rogers and Shayna from Lawrence Funeral Home helped me send Dad to his final place. I opened with a reading from Psalms: The earth is the Lord's and everthing in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. There was not better way to lay Dad to rest than upon the waters. Dad served in the Canadian Navy, fished Atlantic and Pacific coasts and many waters in between. He sailed with me on the San Francisco Bay and I sailed with him on the St. Lawrence River. During Dad's eulogy I told a couple of funny stories about happy times my family and I remembered plus how Dad purchased my kids' first red tricycle. We gave thanks to God for preserving Dad's life and for his hard work providing for his family. We prayed that God would open our knowledge to the science of the cause and cure of Alzheimer's Disease. We closed with prayers for Dad's spirit to find safe harbour in heaven and for Mom, who must stay for now on earth. The final prayer was from Psalms 16: Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. You have made known to me the path of life and in Your presence there is rullness of joy and eternal pleasure at your right hand. Amen.
