A comforting ritual of farewell
Joanne, a retired colleague, always seemed happy and cheerful. When we met and chatted in the Art Gallery during a recent exhibition, I never dreamed it would be the last time.
Memorial services draw people together, remind us to appreciate our families and friends. After Joanne's grandson spoke about how much he'd cherished his Grandma, another grandmother told me she was inspired to spend more quality time with her own grandkids.
Like others at the ceremony, I learned a lot about formerly unknown aspects of Joanne's life. I knew her mainly as a well-loved ESL teacher. I didn't know she was active in an international women's organization to promote peace. I knew she loved poetry, but I didn't know she was a teen when she met her husband of 57 years.
Astonishingly, I also discovered that because I said yes to a favour Joanne once asked of me, a young man ended up going to a certain college where he might not otherwise have attended. But he did go, and met his girlfriend; I was introduced to her at the memorial.
I'm glad I participated in the celebration of Joanne's life. It was right and good to spend the afternoon in the company of others who appreciated and remembered the many wonderful things she brought to those around her.
Farewell gatherings can console all who knew the one being celebrated. Tears and laughter, reminiscences and sweet foods knit together, however temporarily, those left behind. At such events we may glimpse the mysterious and invisible ties that bind us all.
Memorial services draw people together, remind us to appreciate our families and friends. After Joanne's grandson spoke about how much he'd cherished his Grandma, another grandmother told me she was inspired to spend more quality time with her own grandkids.
Like others at the ceremony, I learned a lot about formerly unknown aspects of Joanne's life. I knew her mainly as a well-loved ESL teacher. I didn't know she was active in an international women's organization to promote peace. I knew she loved poetry, but I didn't know she was a teen when she met her husband of 57 years.
Astonishingly, I also discovered that because I said yes to a favour Joanne once asked of me, a young man ended up going to a certain college where he might not otherwise have attended. But he did go, and met his girlfriend; I was introduced to her at the memorial.
I'm glad I participated in the celebration of Joanne's life. It was right and good to spend the afternoon in the company of others who appreciated and remembered the many wonderful things she brought to those around her.
Farewell gatherings can console all who knew the one being celebrated. Tears and laughter, reminiscences and sweet foods knit together, however temporarily, those left behind. At such events we may glimpse the mysterious and invisible ties that bind us all.