for bonnie.

Crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
...

i attended the viewing of one of my bible study friends this evening - she was all of 40 years old and suffered from brain cancer. she was a very sweet, pious woman who was fearless and never complained; it was tragic to see her decline, but i will never forget a prayer session she held in the chapel where we read the day's readings from Mass and received Communion - she led - and it was lovely. i will carry that memory of her with me always.

I may not know what you're going through.

But time is the space,

Between me and you.

Life carries on... it goes on.

...

i understand nobody likes funerals. quite honestly prior to leaving, i sat and pondered how many different ways i could excuse myself from going, but there was no excuse. it's out of respect for her, respect for her family, and the extended church family she had that filled the parking lot. there are things in life you simply *do* out of love, liking the activity has nothing to do with the decision itself. it is a prayer for the dying, in and of itself. to be present for the living on their behalf.

In your mind,
We can walk across water.
Please don't cry,
It's just a prayer for the dying...

all of this is about prayer and it relates directly back to the homily from this weekend (imagine that). i am wondering, when you approach an open casket and kneel to pray - what do you pray? do you find it as difficult as i do to focus and concentrate on a sincere prayer in front of hundreds of people, mourners, family, friends chatting in line, waiting to approach...or do you just kneel, put yourself at the mercy of the Lord and simply say good-bye, tell Jesus i said hi, and pray for me while you're up there...

Help me I'm fading.
Heaven's waiting,
It's time to move on.

~~seal, prayer for the dying