Love

We are back after a full and meaningful trip for Granny's funeral.  It was full of love.

I was especially struck by the role of the pall bearer in the funeral service.  Pall bearers carry the burden of death on their shoulders.  The dead weighs heavy on them as they struggle to walk together, carrying the heavy casket, and maintain composure.  It is the most literal and oddly beautiful image of carrying someone's burden, carrying their loved one to the grave.  A final act of our love for that person.

Granny carried many burdens in her life.  She was a young widow raising 2 daughters.  She sacrificed much to give them the best she could.  As a grandmother, she moved to Dallas to be close to us.  I have many fond memories of her helping with us when we were young.  She knew the meaning of sacrificial love.

And she carries that burden no more.  She's at rest with our Lord now.  But we're here still carrying our burdens and carrying the burdens of others in this often difficult life.

And that's love, carrying the burdens of others.