June's Gardens

Last evening, we held the funeral service for June, a precious 75 year old lady, who finally succombed after a long battle with cancer. She was born in June and died in June -- and almost every June in between, she worked her garden.

Thus, we used "Gardens" for the theme of the service.

As the funeral started, our keyboardist played, "In the Garden"
I began by suggesting that June was like a rose in full bloom, plucked by the Master Gardener.

I shared briefly about three gardens from Scripture:

• The Garden of Eden -- The place of beginnings, of joy, happy memories,
• The Garden of Gethsemane -- The place of sorrow, loss and heaviness. "Nevertheless"
• The Garden of The Empty Tomb -- The place of resurrection! Life! Eternity!

Friends shared how June became more lovely as she grew older. Even in her final days when she had lost her hair to chemo, she was never more beautiful.

Dennis put together a touching slideshow of her life, which was presented as Deb sang a beautiful song of faith and hope.

At the conclusion of the service, our good brother, Charlie Howe sang June's favorite song, "The Impossible Dream", and then, I presented each of the children with flowers from June's own garden. It was really meaningful.

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"May He support us all the day long, till the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy, may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last."

- John Henry Newman

(Thanks to Marcia for directing me to this beautiful quotation.)