Sailing Ship at Dock at Sunset
by Walter Colvin
"Ernie has already arrived at his port of call, his eternal destination."
Terry MacAlmon
My God and King
To You alone I sing
You're the face I seek
For all eternity
You'd be my dream come true
Just to be with You
How I'd see brand new
With eyes for only You
My God and King
Through the storm I sing
Covered by Your wing
This song of love I bring
You are my dream come true
Just to be with You
Now I see brand new
With eyes for only You
Today is the ninth month of Ernie's passing away.
The unveiling of his tombstone took place yesterday evening.
The pain of separation can never be described or explained in words. I've tried to share a little about it in my past posts. But the truth is that this kind of pain can never be fully shared with anyone. It is too precious...and too sacred... to even talk about.
Being a very personal experience, it can only be embraced and treasured.
There never really was any definite plan or strategy to ease my pain or help me cope with my loss. After the burial, I just slowly picked up the pieces of my life... and in fact, I'm still doing that.
But the pain was not unbearable, or devastating. This is where I can say that God surely knew how to comfort His own.
The remarkable thing about this comfort is that it comes unannounced. It isn't even accurate to say that I felt it. It wasn't anything tangible, nothing like that at all.
All I know is that on most days, there was a supernatural strength coming from Someone definitely greater...Much Greater...than me.
The healing comes in stages, layer by layer, as it were. Like a deep wound closing up little by little.
There is probably a sense in which the grieving never ends, but I certainly don't want to live the rest of my life in grief!
And I am just so thankful for the closure that He brings on different levels.
Mario, one of Ernie's close friends, wept as he gave the closing prayer.
It was amazing that a cloud cover protected us from the heat of the afternoon sun during the unveiling ceremony.
Then it was time for us to move to the reception area and enjoy a light meal together.
The rains fell during the reception!
How good God is to honor my request for good weather during the ceremony!
How I appreciate our many friends who joined us for this very meaningful occasion. There was not a dry eye during the ceremony.
It was such a meaningful way for us to bring a closure to and receive healing for another layer of our grief.
(For a fuller understanding of this ceremony, see The Stages of Jewish Mournng, by Lori Palatnik.)
The unveiling of his tombstone took place yesterday evening.
The pain of separation can never be described or explained in words. I've tried to share a little about it in my past posts. But the truth is that this kind of pain can never be fully shared with anyone. It is too precious...and too sacred... to even talk about.
Being a very personal experience, it can only be embraced and treasured.
There never really was any definite plan or strategy to ease my pain or help me cope with my loss. After the burial, I just slowly picked up the pieces of my life... and in fact, I'm still doing that.
But the pain was not unbearable, or devastating. This is where I can say that God surely knew how to comfort His own.
The remarkable thing about this comfort is that it comes unannounced. It isn't even accurate to say that I felt it. It wasn't anything tangible, nothing like that at all.
All I know is that on most days, there was a supernatural strength coming from Someone definitely greater...Much Greater...than me.
The healing comes in stages, layer by layer, as it were. Like a deep wound closing up little by little.
There is probably a sense in which the grieving never ends, but I certainly don't want to live the rest of my life in grief!
And I am just so thankful for the closure that He brings on different levels.
--0--
For the past nine months, I have been thinking about doing a special ceremony called The Unveiling of the Tombstone for Ernie's grave marker.
As far as I know this has never been done in our country, but the desire to do this has been burning in my heart.
I did pray to God to lead me, and to show me how to do it, as well as the perfect time to hold it.
Without going into the behind-the-scenes details of how it came about, the unveiling ceremony finally took place yesterday.
I sent out written invitations to about sixty close friends and family members the weekend after I got back from Manila...persons who had a special place in the life that Ernie and I shared together.
This is rainy season in our country, the time of tropical cyclones and monsoon rains. In fact, just last month, the memorial park where my husband's body is buried was slightly flooded due to non stop rains. The grass was soggy and muddy.
From time to time I would shoot arrow prayers up to heaven: Dear God, please provide the perfect weather for the unveiling ceremony...Please let there be no rain on the week before it, to dry up the ground...Please don't let it be too hot... Please God you know what is best.
I am not really surprised at how God worked everything out so beautifully.
Below are the pictures taken before, during, and after the event, as well as the story of how the ceremony went.
It was a perfect Saturday afternoon. It hadn't rained a single drop in one week. It was bright and sunny, and the ground was dry.
My daughter Obedient One arrived on Friday morning to be with us on this special occasion.
Below is the grave marker covered with a beautiful veil. Just in front of it is a shallow ceramic vase for the stones that the people brought for the ceremony.
Around fifty friends and family members came to celebrate the event with us.
I began with a brief explanation about the unveiling ceremony.
I want this tombstone to be a stone of remembrance.
We are gathered here today for closure. As Ernie's wife, I stand in the gap and ask forgiveness from anyone whom he may have hurt, or disappointed, or offended in any way during his lifetime.
I ask you to forgive him of his shortcomings and failures. I want the books closed today, and that from hereon we will let bygones be bygones, release forgiveness, settle in our hearts that all relational debts incurred by Ernie in his lifetime has already been paid in full by Jesus on Calvary.
I suppose that no one of you here still thinks you need to forgive my husband for any wrong done, nevertheless, I just do not want to leave anything unsaid.
On the same note, I want everyone to know that I bear no one any ill will, neither do I hold any grudges in my heart toward anyone who may have hurt my husband while he was still alive.
Let this tombstone be a silent witness: today I release forgiveness and plead that the shed blood of Jesus is enough payment for the healing of past hurts and grievances.
Let this grave marker be a stone memorial to the life that Ernie lived. What he had become at the moment of his death is a fitting testimony to the life-changing power of our Savior, Redeemer and Lord.
We gather here at his grave on the eve of the ninth month after his death. The number nine is a symbol of birthing. Let his death be as a new birth for all of us here who loved the man that Ernie was. We know we will see him again in heaven.
Let us from this point on move forward in a new and deeper awareness of the legacies he has left behind. Indeed, as the Lord promised me, he will continue to bear fruit even in old age.
I remember asking the Lord this question right after Ernie passed away. "Lord, I thought you told me that my husband will bear fruit even in old age. I don't understand."
And the Lord's clear answer to my heart was this: "Just wait and see."
Everyone who is here this afternoon was in one way or another touched by Ernie's life. Let us give glory and honor to God alone for that great privilege of sharing one another's lives, and learning from one another's precious lessons.
Thank you... each one of you who is here is a special part of our family.
A word of remembrance was given by three friends. Each one of them shared the special character qualities of Ernie that they will never forget.
Butch: "Ernie was like a big brother to me. He was my first mentor, he accepted me as I was, he was very patient with me, teaching me the rudiments of my Christian faith. I'll never forget that. He'll always be a big brother to me."
Elena: "Ernie will always have a special place in our family. He was my dad's favorite partner in visiting the sick. Ernie was "on call" as far as my dad was concerned, always ready and willing to go with my Daddy. And Ernie was our cell group leader for many years, patiently leading our group, being a true model of what he taught us."
John: "The first things that come to mind are Ernie's warm sunny smile and cordial manner of greeting people. His genuine respect for others, his kindness...I will never forget that special dinner we had at my house when my wife and I were at our lowest... And of course, who can forget his perfect English grammar and American accent? On a more serious note, I will never forget that Ernie was a man who went through a lot of adversity in life but weathered them all in the end. Truly, it can be said that he fought a good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race."
Next was the unveiling ceremony.
In the pictures below are Ernie's sisters Sue and Leila (facing the camera), my first born son First Born, and me. (Seen on the left is a portion of Ernie's father's tombstone.)
Stone Speaks of Permanence
Earthly life is transitory, but our eternal life is permanent.
The grave marker, made of granite stone, speaks of permanence. The grass withers and flowers fade away, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. God instructed the Israelites after crossing the Jordan, to put up stones of remembrance. The ten commandments were inscribed in stone. Joshua used a flint stone to circumcise the Israelites; it is God's word that circumcises our hearts.
Tzur is the Hebrew word for stone, also used to refer to God. The grave marker is made of stone, a fitting reminder that God is the solid rock on which we stand. In a world of change, God is our one constant, our comfort and guiding light during the darkest night.
A stone symbolizes eternity, just as the cornerstone of a building is meant to last for all time.
Death Speaks of Realized Potential
Our birthday speaks of potential, but our death speaks of what we have become.
From now on, I will give more importance to the day that my husband entered eternity.
It has been said that one's birthday is celebrated when he is still alive, but the day of death is celebrated by those who are left behind, a reminder to us of the life he lived...what he had become at the time of death, what legacies he left behind.
How my husband lived out the purposes of God in his earthly life: this is what I want to celebrate.
In a birthday, the book is opened; in a death, the book is closed as his eternal life has begun. In a real way, when a person's earthly life ends, it marks who he had actually become.
While we mourn the loved one's absence, yet when we remember what he meant to us, there is gladness. Remembering becomes a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the kind of life he lived.
Indeed the unveling ceremony is a time of remembering that Ernie has already arrived at his port of call, his eternal destination, heaven. It is remembering his legacy, the lasting qualities that inspire us, that motivate us. The beautiful memories will live on.
As the stone marker is inaugurated and dedicated, it becomes a stone of remembrance.
What Ernie built in his lifetime as a husband, as a father, as a brother, as a friend and a colleague - his deeds and his character -- will not be easily forgotten.
Another important thing to remember is that as human beings we have been created in the image of God. We are not temporal but eternal beings, created to last for eternity. At the resurrection of the dead, Ernie and the rest of us will receive our glorified bodies, and reunited with our spirit and soul, and will last forever.
This is true of all who have chosen to relate to God at a much deeper level, the level of the heart, and not merely at the level of the intellect.
Nine: A Number that Represents Birthing
Out of death comes life, God has shown this to be true in my life. Out of Ernie's death, something is born anew in each of our lives. This gives us so much hope, to know for sure that his death is not in vain but has redemptive purpose.
We grieve, but not as those who have no hope.
Slowly, the grief gives way to hope.
Inaugurating the stone memorial on the ninth month is so significant!
All heads bow as Pastor Joe offers a prayer to dedicate the stone marker.
In the next part of the ceremony I invited everyone to place a simple stone by the grave marker.
It is customary to bring flowers to the grave site, but I requested that instead of bringing flowers, they will leave a stone when visiting Ernie's grave.
Flowers die, and speak of physical death. But the simple stone is a symbol of eternity.
It is a reminder that the loved one is not dead, but alive. He has already arrived at his eternal destination.
The stone which represents eternity reminds us that we are still somehow connected to Ernie. Our connection lives on and will never die.
During the placing of the stones, one of Ernie's favorite songs, My God and King, was played. It was a song that we listened to often during the last few weeks of Ernie's life.
As the ceremony began, clouds gradually formed and rested over the place where we had gathered.
As far as I know this has never been done in our country, but the desire to do this has been burning in my heart.
I did pray to God to lead me, and to show me how to do it, as well as the perfect time to hold it.
Without going into the behind-the-scenes details of how it came about, the unveiling ceremony finally took place yesterday.
I sent out written invitations to about sixty close friends and family members the weekend after I got back from Manila...persons who had a special place in the life that Ernie and I shared together.
This is rainy season in our country, the time of tropical cyclones and monsoon rains. In fact, just last month, the memorial park where my husband's body is buried was slightly flooded due to non stop rains. The grass was soggy and muddy.
From time to time I would shoot arrow prayers up to heaven: Dear God, please provide the perfect weather for the unveiling ceremony...Please let there be no rain on the week before it, to dry up the ground...Please don't let it be too hot... Please God you know what is best.
I am not really surprised at how God worked everything out so beautifully.
Below are the pictures taken before, during, and after the event, as well as the story of how the ceremony went.
--0--
It was a perfect Saturday afternoon. It hadn't rained a single drop in one week. It was bright and sunny, and the ground was dry.
My daughter Obedient One arrived on Friday morning to be with us on this special occasion.
Below is the grave marker covered with a beautiful veil. Just in front of it is a shallow ceramic vase for the stones that the people brought for the ceremony.
Around fifty friends and family members came to celebrate the event with us.
I began with a brief explanation about the unveiling ceremony.
I want this tombstone to be a stone of remembrance.
We are gathered here today for closure. As Ernie's wife, I stand in the gap and ask forgiveness from anyone whom he may have hurt, or disappointed, or offended in any way during his lifetime.
I ask you to forgive him of his shortcomings and failures. I want the books closed today, and that from hereon we will let bygones be bygones, release forgiveness, settle in our hearts that all relational debts incurred by Ernie in his lifetime has already been paid in full by Jesus on Calvary.
I suppose that no one of you here still thinks you need to forgive my husband for any wrong done, nevertheless, I just do not want to leave anything unsaid.
On the same note, I want everyone to know that I bear no one any ill will, neither do I hold any grudges in my heart toward anyone who may have hurt my husband while he was still alive.
Let this tombstone be a silent witness: today I release forgiveness and plead that the shed blood of Jesus is enough payment for the healing of past hurts and grievances.
Let this grave marker be a stone memorial to the life that Ernie lived. What he had become at the moment of his death is a fitting testimony to the life-changing power of our Savior, Redeemer and Lord.
We gather here at his grave on the eve of the ninth month after his death. The number nine is a symbol of birthing. Let his death be as a new birth for all of us here who loved the man that Ernie was. We know we will see him again in heaven.
Let us from this point on move forward in a new and deeper awareness of the legacies he has left behind. Indeed, as the Lord promised me, he will continue to bear fruit even in old age.
I remember asking the Lord this question right after Ernie passed away. "Lord, I thought you told me that my husband will bear fruit even in old age. I don't understand."
And the Lord's clear answer to my heart was this: "Just wait and see."
Everyone who is here this afternoon was in one way or another touched by Ernie's life. Let us give glory and honor to God alone for that great privilege of sharing one another's lives, and learning from one another's precious lessons.
Thank you... each one of you who is here is a special part of our family.
A word of remembrance was given by three friends. Each one of them shared the special character qualities of Ernie that they will never forget.
Butch: "Ernie was like a big brother to me. He was my first mentor, he accepted me as I was, he was very patient with me, teaching me the rudiments of my Christian faith. I'll never forget that. He'll always be a big brother to me."
Elena: "Ernie will always have a special place in our family. He was my dad's favorite partner in visiting the sick. Ernie was "on call" as far as my dad was concerned, always ready and willing to go with my Daddy. And Ernie was our cell group leader for many years, patiently leading our group, being a true model of what he taught us."
John: "The first things that come to mind are Ernie's warm sunny smile and cordial manner of greeting people. His genuine respect for others, his kindness...I will never forget that special dinner we had at my house when my wife and I were at our lowest... And of course, who can forget his perfect English grammar and American accent? On a more serious note, I will never forget that Ernie was a man who went through a lot of adversity in life but weathered them all in the end. Truly, it can be said that he fought a good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race."In the pictures below are Ernie's sisters Sue and Leila (facing the camera), my first born son First Born, and me. (Seen on the left is a portion of Ernie's father's tombstone.)
The grave marker unveiled, showing Ernie's life verse:
For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content...
- Philippians 4:11
Pastor Joe dedicates the stone marker.- Philippians 4:11
Stone Speaks of Permanence
Earthly life is transitory, but our eternal life is permanent.
The grave marker, made of granite stone, speaks of permanence. The grass withers and flowers fade away, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. God instructed the Israelites after crossing the Jordan, to put up stones of remembrance. The ten commandments were inscribed in stone. Joshua used a flint stone to circumcise the Israelites; it is God's word that circumcises our hearts.
Tzur is the Hebrew word for stone, also used to refer to God. The grave marker is made of stone, a fitting reminder that God is the solid rock on which we stand. In a world of change, God is our one constant, our comfort and guiding light during the darkest night.
A stone symbolizes eternity, just as the cornerstone of a building is meant to last for all time.
Death Speaks of Realized Potential
Our birthday speaks of potential, but our death speaks of what we have become.
From now on, I will give more importance to the day that my husband entered eternity.
It has been said that one's birthday is celebrated when he is still alive, but the day of death is celebrated by those who are left behind, a reminder to us of the life he lived...what he had become at the time of death, what legacies he left behind.
How my husband lived out the purposes of God in his earthly life: this is what I want to celebrate.
In a birthday, the book is opened; in a death, the book is closed as his eternal life has begun. In a real way, when a person's earthly life ends, it marks who he had actually become.
While we mourn the loved one's absence, yet when we remember what he meant to us, there is gladness. Remembering becomes a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the kind of life he lived.
Indeed the unveling ceremony is a time of remembering that Ernie has already arrived at his port of call, his eternal destination, heaven. It is remembering his legacy, the lasting qualities that inspire us, that motivate us. The beautiful memories will live on.
As the stone marker is inaugurated and dedicated, it becomes a stone of remembrance.
What Ernie built in his lifetime as a husband, as a father, as a brother, as a friend and a colleague - his deeds and his character -- will not be easily forgotten.
Another important thing to remember is that as human beings we have been created in the image of God. We are not temporal but eternal beings, created to last for eternity. At the resurrection of the dead, Ernie and the rest of us will receive our glorified bodies, and reunited with our spirit and soul, and will last forever.
This is true of all who have chosen to relate to God at a much deeper level, the level of the heart, and not merely at the level of the intellect.
Nine: A Number that Represents Birthing
Out of death comes life, God has shown this to be true in my life. Out of Ernie's death, something is born anew in each of our lives. This gives us so much hope, to know for sure that his death is not in vain but has redemptive purpose.
We grieve, but not as those who have no hope.
Slowly, the grief gives way to hope.
Inaugurating the stone memorial on the ninth month is so significant!
All heads bow as Pastor Joe offers a prayer to dedicate the stone marker.
In the next part of the ceremony I invited everyone to place a simple stone by the grave marker.
It is customary to bring flowers to the grave site, but I requested that instead of bringing flowers, they will leave a stone when visiting Ernie's grave.
Flowers die, and speak of physical death. But the simple stone is a symbol of eternity.
It is a reminder that the loved one is not dead, but alive. He has already arrived at his eternal destination.
The stone which represents eternity reminds us that we are still somehow connected to Ernie. Our connection lives on and will never die.
During the placing of the stones, one of Ernie's favorite songs, My God and King, was played. It was a song that we listened to often during the last few weeks of Ernie's life.
First Born places his stone.
Sue placing her stone.
This is me placing my stone.
As the ceremony began, clouds gradually formed and rested over the place where we had gathered.
Some friends wrote messages on their stones.
Mario, one of Ernie's close friends, wept as he gave the closing prayer.
It was amazing that a cloud cover protected us from the heat of the afternoon sun during the unveiling ceremony.Then it was time for us to move to the reception area and enjoy a light meal together.
The rains fell during the reception!How good God is to honor my request for good weather during the ceremony!
How I appreciate our many friends who joined us for this very meaningful occasion. There was not a dry eye during the ceremony.
It was such a meaningful way for us to bring a closure to and receive healing for another layer of our grief.
(For a fuller understanding of this ceremony, see The Stages of Jewish Mournng, by Lori Palatnik.)
29 comments:
Thank you for sharing these precious moments with us. I will continue to pray for you as you follow GOD's journey for your life.
Blessings and prayers, andrea
PS: there is an award at arise 2 write waiting on you b/c you are truly an inspiration to us ALL.
Lidj,
I was completely held into this post by your writing. Each word took me deeper into not only Ernie's life but the impact he had in everyone's lives he touched. He was truly loved and admired by all.
Thank you dear one, for taking the time to share this moving tribute of Ernie's Unveiling of his tombstone. The quote is magnificent and the idea of leaving stones behind is so powerful. I love the ones with the messages written. These will long outlive the flowers which will wither and die away.
The stones will last much long Ernie's memory in the hearts of those that truly love him. The reunion that awaits all of you with him again in the future will be worth every minute.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Wow, because of other duties, I had to quickly skim this. I love the way you establish 'altars' in milestones in your life, bringing a profound look at God's Hand in the orchestration.
I sense a 'book' should be forthcoming to teach more than blogging friends how God uses 'life' to transform, heal, comfort, counsel.
May God cover and minister to your grief and loss at this time.
Love, Sita
Must be an incedible and beautiful time for you in this path or journey of life. Lovingly, Yolanda
Dear Lidj,
What a beautiful way to honor your husband's memory!
Dear Lidj,
What an impressive way to honor the memory of your husband.
I've never head of this custom of Unveiling of the Tombstone.
What a very right thing to do, and how very brave of you to go through such a detailed planned ceremony, while still being so deeply hurt and grieving.
You deserve praise and so does the Lord for standing by you.
The stones appeal so very much to my way of thinking and feeling.
Have I told I gather stones from travels and hikes all the time?
I have made a place in my garden to save the good memories.
The speech you held was so comprehensive and full of love, it must have left the attendants full of peace.
Also you brought the vivid hope and knowledge of a reconciliation.
I hope you can relax now after having done this wonderful deed to honor and remember your Ernie.
From Felisol
A beautiful, peaceful, loving tribute to that which is I'm sure a beautiful, peaceful, loving soul.
Thank you for sharing this.
I love the quote Ernie lived by and I hope to learn to live by that myself.
Your Ernie has even touched the life of this New York housewife, as have you.
All the best to you,
Eileen
This is the first time I saw such a ceremony so beautifully carried out.
The graveyard is also well maintained, in India very few cemetaries are kept this way. Certainly not ours.
The stones which people brought are a good memorial. Did you leave them there. OUrs would be stolen or vandalized.
You have a reception area in your cemetaries?
The speeches are very meaningful specially what you said.
Lidia,
You may not even know this about yourself, but you are an incredible painter. Honestly, and without shame, I wept as you explained the significance of the ceremony and spoke of Ernie's life.
It is quite evident you and Ernie made a wonderful life together. It is also apparent how much God was a part of your lives. Both of you have positively affected the lives of scores of people simply because you were not ashamed of the gospel and calling of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for inviting me to read this post. Thank you for sharing your life with people blessed enough to be a part of your internet family. Sis, one day we'll meet one another; won't that be a great reunion?
Sweet Lidj,
What a beautiful way to celebrate and honor your husband's life. I admire your courage to do this. I love how you made everything so meaningful. My favorite part is the idea of bringing rocks instead of flowers.
I am praying for you and hoping that this ceremony is a healing step.
Sending love,
Cory =)
A touching, loving and beautiful ceremony Lidj. Take care.
I came back to say that i really appreciate the uniqueness of each country.
We have have a funeral and memorial service.Then at the anniversary the family have a house prayer meeting.
The words for Ernie are really touching.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I'm at a loss for words.
Blessings ~ Lisa
I'm delighted with the symbolism and the written messages on the stones. And God is so good to hold the weather at bay for just the right amount of time. Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us. May we learn to walk a grieving road with you as you put words to the process and live everyday God gives you to shine for His glory. Your thoughts are so dear!
This is SO amazing! I could't stop the tears from falling as I read this! What a beautiful service, I feel as though I knew your precious husband just from reading this! So many times, we view death as the end and forget that it's really, the beginning of eternity! Of course I say that not having lost a spouse or a parent myself.
Thank you for stopping by and visiting me the other day. I feel as if I have found another sister in Christ!
Hugs,
Connie
Lidj, the memorial to your precious Ernie is so powerful, so moving, so beautiful, eloquent and fitting.
As I read your post and looked at the pictures, I sensed the Holy Spirit and felt such a sweet presence. I also saw such love and kindness on the faces present.
Truly, the Lord led you. And, yes, you will see much fruit continue from your husband's life.
Thank you for sharing this personal moment with friends.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and honor you. You are His beloved.
In His Love,
Andrea
A tender and heart felt tribute of love. Thank you for sharing. Dee
Ernie, "asleep through Jesus". What a resurrection it will be!
Dear Lidj,
I wish you a blessed journey.
Hope Obedient One will do fine, and that you may enjoy each others company.
I am so missing my Serina.
The trip up in the mountains sounds refreshing.
Hope you will get time to recreate after all the emotional stains you must have been too lately.
My the Lord and his guardian angles stay close by your side wherever you go.
From Felisol
Good of you to think of me just tonight.
I actually am a bit low.
The Lord is guiding you faithfully.
Lidj,
This was so beautiful a thing . I felt like I was there with you ,sharing your grief but feeling the new strength this was giving you. i had never heard of this being done and thank you so much for sharing. One of our members at my church was laid to rest past Wednesday and we ( the choir ) had to sing,I almost didn't get through it as it brought back my own grief as I felt compassion for the wife.
I have a feeling it won't be long now until we all go home to with the Lord eternally .What a day that will be.
Dear Lidj,
I'm so sorry the read about the lost of your husband and I know that it can't be easy to go on without his presence in your life. What a beautiful cermony to honor your husband life and memory. I especially love the verse that you choose for his headstone. How fitting.
I look foward to following your blog. May your home this week be filled with the Lord's mercy and presence so that his will be done.
Charlotte
"What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds." 1 Corinthians 2:9
"In a real way, when a person's earthly life ends, it marks who he had actually become."
Wow! That is true. And I love what you did...the whole "stone of remembrance" thing, and the symbolism. I have never understood traditional US funerals...people walking past the dead person, etc. I've always had a rough time figuring out why people go to tombstones, too. My mother's cremated remains are with her father's, and it doesn't bother me that there's not a place to visit. Why? She's in heaven, and my memories of her are what I visit.
But this, I understand. Making a stone a stone of remembrance and an everlasting memorial to what a life stood for.
Thank you.
What can I say --- that U have not already said and blessed all who have read this post --
Blessings on U
Thank you for your precious words today.
What a blessing to see the face behind my visitor from the Philippines. I have often wondered who came by from time to time. What a blessing to meet you.
The unveiling of the tombstone was one of the most beautiful acts of memorial I have seen. I have decided I too do not want flowers brought to my service. Rocks of remembrance are so much more permanent and lasting. The rocks with messages inscribed with the hand of the person who loved your husband, what a gift.
I have been married almost twelve years, and it's clear you have been married much much longer. I can't begin to understand the grief of losing the other half of you. Just know that the love you and Ernie shared touched a heart and a marriage today. You see, I have been upset with my husband today over a silly argument. And now, after visiting here I see just how silly and how sad to lose a moment to it. I plan on apologizing to my sweet Paul when he gets home.
Warmly,
Joanne
Oh Lidj--how beautiful. I have never heard of anything like this, but it is a wonderful celebration of Ernie's life. Ernie still will bear fruit even in his death--he lives on in others' hearts and minds. And even those of us who never knew him are touched through this blog by your memories. I love the Bible verse on the stone--a tribute to a life lived for our Jesus. (Thanks for the prayers and kind comments on my blog--we made it home last night, thankfully). Much love, Jennifer
moving and inspirational...as you always are, even in the hardest parts of your journey. love you dearly!!
My Friend.
My Friend.
I wept.
I rejoiced.
Your words. Your love for Ernie. Your love for Him.
Offer hope to us.
Praying for you.
what a beautiful ceremony ... Ernie was honoured so respectfully ... may our Heavenly Father continue to heal your heart and that of all those who loved Ernie here on earth ... heaven will hold a wonderful reunion someday!
Lidj,
Forgiveness at Ernie's memorial is the right cord to soothe those aching pains.It was an amazing ceremony and I thank GOD for those friends who stood by on our behalf.
And Ernie's life verse? Not a few would wish to be so remembered, not the least me.
You are a great encouragement Lidj, and as for you, the LORD has spoken concerning your unseen agony in Is.54:11:"O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest and not comforted. Behold, I will lay your STONES with colourful gems , and lay your foundations with sapphires". Your day of glory has come! Thanks for showing me Ernie's face again.
Emenike
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