Before day's end yesterday, the General brought down the contents of another file drawer of a filing cabinet for me to sort through. Eyeing what I could see as the contents when she stacked them on the counter next to me, I knew that I was in over my head. I also intuitively knew there was nothing from the contents I was willing to move to "File Thirteen." I wanted to keep the contents for later reflection.
The file was filled with obituaries, funeral programs, and the contents of each message that I shared at the service. I said to the General, I don't want to get rid of any of this. She responded, "I don't want you to get rid of any of this." You could have knocked me over with a feather! That not really true. I was certain she would agree with me.
She added, "What I most want you to do, is for you to pull together a document that includes the "personal information" regarding the lives of individuals from the Henly area whose funerals you've conducted" She added, "The contents you've identified contain history that we be forever lost unless you write it down and share it with others as a gift.
Several years ago, I pulled out personal information from funeral messages concerning extended family members and put it together in a binder entitled "Family Memories." I then sent copies to my cousins and my one surviving aunt. The family memories were well received.
The General thinks I would be remiss not to do the same thing for our church family and community. I'm inclined to agree.
All My Best!
Don
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