Saturday, March 15, 2008

And then the pastor said...

If there's anyone that would like to say a few words about Betty, they're welcome to.

And I stood up.

What?

I stood up.

If you know me, I'm not a public speaker. At. All.

But stood up, and walked to the pulpit.

I spoke a little bit about Grandma, and how she inspired me to write the cookbook. Then I read a passage Anon left me the other day:

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and the sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

I finished with, "I know that Grandpa's been waiting for her, and so glad to have her back."

I stepped down and took my seat, legs shaking the whole way.

It was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done, but so rewarding.

9 comments:

Loralee Choate said...

I'm proud of you. That could not have been easy.

I'm sure your grandmother loved it.

Hugs.

Builder Mama said...

Wow, I mean wow. I know it's hard to do something like that. My nephew delivered the eulogy at his own brother's funeral and I still marvel at his strength.

I bet your grandmother was really proud of you today.

BlueBella said...

You are amazing. And your Grandparents would be so proud.

Mitzi Green said...

i admire your strength. i've wanted to do that at more than one memorial i've been to, but have never been able to get past the "blubbering idiot" stage. your grandparents would have been proud of you, indeed.

Mom O Matic said...

That's beautiful Gretchen.

Tree said...

I am choking back tears as I sit at my desk. (((HUGS)))

I am glad you spoke.

Anonymous said...

Good for you, it was very touching.

I had the same opportunity at my Grandpa's funeral 10 years ago...I didn't do it and I still regret it.

Jenny

Lauren @ mostly i run said...

Great job, that was amazing.

Unknown said...

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Hugs, girl.