Memorial

We had Miriam’s memorial service last weekend.
I began with an introduction. I talked a bit about some of her art work. (The stained glass window at the front of the church was made by Miriam as well as the sign out front).
My best friend sang a couple of favorite hymns.
Granddaughters talked about their memories of Grandma, most of which were after her Alzheimer’s kicked in.
Then daughters told their mother’s life story. All were up front at the same time, each with a live mic. I knew they would add to each others story, so I facilitated it with mics and it went just as I had hoped. Most interesting.
My favorite pastor (not the current one) spoke a wonderful personal homily.
Then we invited friends in the audience to voice their remembrances.
And last my brother sang the closing song with our sister playing the organ.
The whole thing took an hour and a half (I was told). There was a very nice group who came out, 200 to 250 I guessed. The church traditionally furnishes a meal for the family, but we told them we wanted to invite everyone.
We had friends and family from far away and we wanted to spend more time with them. The hall where the meal was to be served seats 75. So we invited 250 and exactly 75 showed up.  It was wonderful.