Peacock

Our weekend was insanely busy. I don’t think I sat down until I started writing this, well after the weekend was over.

Saturday we had the memorial service for Bill. My mom coordinates the family dinner. Typically there are 10-15 family members. Bill had 50. My mom enlisted the help of me and my sister. It was totally chaotic, but a true blessing. To be able to do something for the family in a time of loss is what being a part of a church family is about.

I would say there was close to 400 people at the service. It was great seeing people who have left our church and fellowship with them. Of course it’s not for a reason we would all like, but for a moment is was the church of my youth. There is a familiarity with that I can’t describe.

The moment that was the most touching of the whole thing was watching Zoe. They had piped a video feed into the basement for overflow purposes. We got to enjoy the service while cleaning up from the dinner and getting the cookies and drinks ready for the fellowship time following the service. Zoe was wonderful. She did want to run around a bit, but she was content playing with her stickers and climbing on and off and on and off chairs.

After about 40 minutes we went into the other room where the dinner had taken place. Usually Zoe is there with my mom for all the funeral services and family dinners. She knows the routine. She pushed a cart into the dinner room and started to pick up forks and cups and place them on the cart. Her job was part of the clean-up crew. She silently went to each table, collecting the things that were left.

She then went into the kitchen and grabbed two boxes of sugar packets off the counter, brought them into the room and then, with grandma’s help, they got the drink condiments off the tables for Zoe to sort.

My mom used to say that there were moments as a parent where her feathers puffed up because she was as proud as a peacock. To see my 2 year old serving, without being asked to, made my feathers puff up.