Today, I went to a memorial service and celebration of a dear octogenarian deaf man who recently passed away. Though I only knew him the last two years of his life, he has left lasting memories in my heart.
First, I must encourage all of you to spend more time with people over 70. It slows down your world, brightens your day and changes your perspective on what really matters. I can’t get enough of their hands and kisses, their wisdom, smiles and gentle humor. Such a gift are these angels. Such a gift….
The pastor that lead the service was deaf himself. A very sweet man with a message of hope. One thing he mentioned was that my deceased elderly deaf friend would be walking and talking with Jesus in heaven. His “talk” however would be in American Sign Language (ASL) and that Jesus understood and can use ASL too. How cool is that?! The image warmed my heart.
He said that Jesus loved deaf people just as they are. I saw a lot of heads nod in appreciation and agreement. It was a very affirming message to the deaf community present at this service, whether or not they shared this particular faith. To be validated as whole, accepted and loved as deaf people is all we want to be.
I’d like to think at my death, there are some cool folks waiting out there to welcome me home; Maybe they were assigned to witness my life journey as a human.
At my death, they say,
“Hey welcome back!”
“Girl, we saw that stuff! Whoa!”
“One heck of an amazing journey you had there hon! Peaks and valleys…. We saw it all!”
“We were there, love, right with you all the way. Sometimes, we were reaching out to catch you. Other times, we were behind you cheering you on.”
“And sometimes, we simply let you fall on your hiney so you would get it!”
And I would say, “Ohhhhh.”
And we all go, “Yeahhhh….”
“Yeah, what a journey, eh?”
Then they would tell me,
“LaRonda, come sit a while. Have a cup of Iced Chai.”
“Crack open a portal in the clouds and watch some peeps.”
“Pick yourself out a human or two, setting out on their journey, and watch.”
“They all need witnesses…and we be those that see.“
And, I say, “Cooool…”
And they go, “Yeahhhh…”
And we all just hang out and go fishin’ in heaven.
And Grammie Lee will be there too. I like to think she is watching your journey dear one. You paint a nice picture. lv u Mom
Left by Vanaye on October 15th, 2009
You should put all this in a book and publish it.
It’ll sell like candy at Halloween. ;-D
Hugs,
Brenda
Left by Brenda on October 15th, 2009
Thanks Bren. *Gush*
Left by LaRonda on October 16th, 2009
Awww Mama…. I know she is.
XOXO
Left by LaRonda on October 16th, 2009