A Winter Funeral

Yesterday, we stood in Greenwood Cemetery in the blowing snow, to lay a great community leader, Mr. Wayne Berard, to rest.

Reading Psalm 23 seemed like a slight misfit, as there are no green pastures anywhere around Hayward this time of year.

Wayne's brother in law, who serves in an Episcopal Church, finished the ceremony with the following reading. I had never heard it before, and thought it was beautiful. Thus, I am sharing it with you. The author is unknown.

When I come to the end of the day

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too long

And not with your head bowed low,

Remember the love we once shared. . .

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take

And each must go alone.

It's all a part of the Maker's plan.

A step in the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know,

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. . .

Miss me, but let me go.