Do In Remembrance Of Me

 This month, we explored the phrase “do in remembrance of me,”  

As we weave through the tapestry of All Saints Day and Remembrance Day, we pause to reflect on our childhood, the sweet echoes of laughter,  And the enduring legacy of how we wish to be remembered after our days.

 

In the act of remembering, nostalgia washes over us,  

a wave of joy mingled with the bittersweet ache of longing,  

for the moments that have slipped through our fingers,  

each memory is a treasure, both radiant and haunting.

 

Last month, I and many other United Church friends faced an unfathomable loss.

A dear friend and mentor, taken far too soon. 

This person had many roles in my life. She was my professor during seminary, practicum supervisor, and vocation officer when I was going through SME, and she laid her hands on me when I got ordained. She was also my friend. 

I cherish those marathon classes she taught, twelve hours of shared exhaustion, laughter, and shared experiences.  

Her stories of motherhood painted a canvas of normalcy.  

In her companionship, I found the strength to navigate the complexities of ministry.

 

Yet amid the sorrow, gratitude blooms like spring flowers,  

for she walked beside me from my first hesitant steps. 

From the moment I stood in the warmth of God’s embrace,  

Her spirit now dances in heavenly light, free from earthly struggles.

 

This month, we gather our hearts to remember—  

Those we’ve loved who now reside in the silence of memory,  

Those brave souls who laid down their lives for our freedom,  

And the mentors who forever altered the course of our lives.

 

We will revisit the tender tapestries of our childhood,  

pivotal moments that shaped our very being,  

Together, we’ll ponder how to live in such a way that our own stories inspire others to reach for the light.