December 17, 2009

• Looking Back

  

  I spent last night, tucked inside a little country church,  with my aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors.  The church and people unchanged, yet quite different. 
  
  You see, it was my great-uncle's funeral.  My Uncle Dobby, who "always had a kind word for every lil' young one" and "smiled with his whole face, even his eyes."  We gathered to honor him in the church that had served the Big Cedar/Clinch Mountain community for many many years.  (How many Aunt Kathy?) 

  Taking in my surroundings, breathing in the same "church" smell, the same painting of Jesus, the same red padded pews, the same wooden cross, I felt a spiritual connection to the faces filling the room.  I wandered to several years ago.  To faces with fewer creases.     

  As a child, I remember Vacation Bible School summers filled with little songs and lessons taught by the soft sweet voice of Ms. Ilene.  The funny thing about Ms. Ilene?  She was the same age when I attended my first Preschool VBS (@4yrs), as my wedding day (@20yrs) when she hugged me and wished me much happiness.

  Speechless, and in tears, I sat in the pew.  Disbelief at how fast time is passing.  Slowly and gently, memories flooding back to me. 

  Alas the service ended and a goodbye was said.  As I walked away, I realized looking back is bittersweet. 
  

  • 7:26 am
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