As I am sitting here this lazy Sunday afternoon, I got to thinking of this past week and what unfolded. I just returned a couple of days ago from a trip to Northern Kentucky. Not a trip that you really ever want to make. To say goodbye to a loved one…..
My Aunt Doris Caddell had been fighting Dementia for some time now, and even though she put up a good fight, she went home to be with the Lord last week. I hadn’t seen her in quite some time. As a matter of fact, I really can’t remember when the last time was that I saw her in person. She was my mother’s older sister and 1 of just 4 of the remaining siblings. I had been in contact with my cousin Shellie over the past few months and she asked if I would come and perform the Funeral service when the time came…….Of course I agreed.
As I was travelling north early Thursday morning, I got to praying and meditating on what the Lord would have me to speak during the ceremony that evening. I thought of the usual things that a nephew would. I remembered that Aunt Doris had introduced me to chicken and dumplings. A love affair that I continue to this day. (Actually, I tell people that you can keep the chicken and give me the dumplings..). I thought of the house across town from ours and going there on Halloween one year and going trick or treat with Shellie, Andrea, and Dwight(I called him Bucky, his nickname). I remember going just across the street to 6th district school and playing on the playground, and the fun times at Uncle Ed and Aunt Doris’ house.
Then as I was driving, the Lord reminded me that Uncle Ed and Aunt Doris were the 1st ones to ever take me to church. They were attending Burlington Church of the Nazarene which at the time was holding service I believe at the fairgrounds. I can remember a Vacation Bible School or youth program going on, with a lot of activities. They were the ones who introduced me to Jesus Christ.
Fast forward a few years to when I was 12. My mother’s younger sister Janice was sick with Cancer. Aunt Jan was like a second mother to me. The Hughes’ and Hales were together a lot when I was growing up. I would spend a lot of time with her. She fought a brave fight as well, eventually moving on to her reward. As I mourned her passing, the thought came to me of what came after this life. Do we just die and go into the ground forever or was there something more. Her passing started me on a journey that I have been on for almost 30 years now. A few weeks after her passing my Aunt Alma and Uncle Oscar started taking us to church. I witnessed my mother give her heart to the Lord one Sunday Morning at the same church where I first attended, but in a different permanent building. A few months later, at Mt. Hope Nazarene campground, I gave my heart to Jesus Christ myself.
We attended Burlington Church for a few more weeks after that, until Uncle Oscar decided that he couldn’t make that drive, so we started attending Eastside Church of the Nazarene. And as fate would seem to have it, we were attending church with Aunt Doris and Uncle Ed. I really loved being able to attend church with some of my family. I would go up to Aunt Doris and pat her hair gently and call her my “little poodle”. She would laugh and give me that look. Uncle Ed would give me singing tips when I began singing solos and in the church choir. We would attend church with them until I got married and eventually moved on to another church.
And as life goes I lost touch with Ed and Doris. We would move to West Va. and then to South Carolina. I would see them occasionally, usually at funerals unfortunately. Then as time past on Facebook.
So as I stood before my family and friends the other night to speak on behalf of this beautiful, wonderful woman, I knew what she would have me to speak. Along with the funny anecdotes of the dumplings and poodle hair, she would want me to tell of her lifelong love affair with not only Ed Caddell, but with her savior, Jesus Christ. I felt that my family should know that 30 years ago I was where a lot of them may be right now. Not understanding what is after this life, or how to cope with losing someone that you love so much. All I can say is to trust in Jesus. I wanted to introduce Him to them the way the Ed and Doris did for me so many years before. I pray that as she looked down on us that night that she was proud of what was said. I know she smiled to hear Rodney’s words, for he did an outstanding job. I pray that all of my family and friends know how much I love them and how honored I was to be able to speak. Thank you for that privilege!
So as I was following the hearse up the hill the other morning, I was not filled with the same lost feeling that I had 30 years ago. This time I was reminded of the Love of Christ and the hope that we have as Christians that tell us that when we die in the Lord, we are heading to a wonderful place of peace and perfect rest. So Aunt Doris I say this honestly……. Rest in Peace in the arms of Jesus.
For This I’m Thankful.
For This I'm Thankful 