Thursday 20 November 2008

Death

Yesterday I went to a funeral.

When we moved to the US we were looking forward to getting involved in a community and attending events. One of our goals is to be invited to a Southern wedding (we're still waiting on this and there are hopes for one next year) but I hadn't really thought about funerals.

Last week my friend A's 19 year old son was killed. He was robbed for his paycheck and cell phone. His body was found at one of the elementary schools which was subsequently closed for the day. A's two younger children attend that school.

An African-American funeral is an experience! The funeral was held in Burgaw (my first visit there) and it was the first time in my life I have been conscious of having white skin.

We spent 2 and half hours in the church (this is before the cemetery and the wake) praying, singing, listening and clapping. There were hundreds and hundreds of people. 60 teenagers answered an altar call.

And at the end we all filed past the open casket, one by one, a sombering reminder of our own mortality and a reminder of our need to get right with God.

3 comments:

Teresa and John said...

So sad, I feel deeply for your friend's loss of her son.

Kathryn said...

Oh Andrew - wow. God's plan confuses all colours of skin equally, I am sure. Kath :)

Kathryn said...

Hi Fiona & Andrew, I read the blog as being about a "work" friend, hence I thought it was Andrew. Sorry, Fiona, if it was your blog. Kath xo