Made in Heaven

Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my Mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense; I found it hard to breathe at times.

Always supportive, Mother clapped loudest at my football matches, held a box of tissues while listening to my first heartbreak, supported me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life.

When Mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27-year-old middle child without entanglements, to take care of her. I counted it an honour.

"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child.

All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was with the Lord. My work was finished, and I was alone.

I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick footsteps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young woman looked around briefly and then sat next to me. She folded her hands and placed them on her lap. Her eyes were brimming with tears. Then she began to sniffle. "I'm late," she explained, though no explanation was necessary.

After several eulogies, she leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of 'Margaret'?

"Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her 'Mary'", I whispered. I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church. she interrupted my grieving with her tears.

"No", she insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters."

"That isn't who this is, I replied.."

"Isn't this the Lutheran church?"

"No, the Lutheran church is across the street."

"Oh"

"I believe you're at the wrong funeral, Miss."

The solemnity of the occasion mixed with the realization of the girl's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face, hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious.

I peeked at the bewildered, misguided girl seated beside me. She was laughing too as she glanced around, deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit.

I imagined my Mother laughing.

At the final "Amen," we darted out a door and into the parking lot. "I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," she smiled. She said her name was Rita and since she had missed her aunt's funeral, asked me out for a cup of coffee.

That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this woman who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at the country church, where her father was the pastor. This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time.

In the time of deepest sorrow, God gave me laughter.

In place of loneliness, God gave me love.

This June we celebrated our twenty-second wedding anniversary.

Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rita tells them, "His mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us, and it's truly a match made in heaven."

Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, "I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

About The Author

Nithya K is a India-based writer who specializes in writing fiction and has tremendous interest in writing non-fiction related to science, technology and other genre. She is also experienced in creating technical documentation. Basically a BE graduate with an MBA degree, her main focus is still writing. Nithya is also interested in Ghost writing of books and articles in the areas of business writing, technical writing, science and technology writing and fiction.

The author can be contacted at tutor19us@yahoo.com and also invites readers to visit her webpage at www.geocities.com/tutor19us/index.html

---

When Change Comes (Dealing With Grief and Loss)

Needless to say, the time after loss is volatile and... Read More

In the Blink of an Eye

Today's Quote: "My house is burned down, but I can... Read More

Is Death Really the End or the Window to A New Beginning?

Earlier this month I learned a dear friend had been... Read More

Handicapped From Suicide

I am 23 years old. I come from a large... Read More

How to Cope with Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory grief is the name given to the mix of... Read More

Death of a Parent: Saying Good-Bye to Mommy or Daddy

Coping with the death of a loved one is never... Read More

Signs After Suicide: The Red Butterfly

Shortly after noon, I went into Arlyn's bedroom to get... Read More

A Critical Assessment of Euthanasia

The question of whether, say, a man should have the... Read More

Dying? Not Me! Why You Should Plan for Transition

Remember the Eulogy projects we had to write back in... Read More

Do You Know Someone Whos Dying?

Too many people are dying alone?The dying are one of... Read More

Dying at Home ? A Precious Gift

Few of us care to think about the inevitability of... Read More

What this Rabbi Learned from Not being Re-hired

It's a familiar story, and I have been through it... Read More

Silent Tears - from a Norwegian Hospital

Silent tears hit hospital-white sheets. The young Pakistani mother holds... Read More

How Long Does It Take to Mend a Broken Heart?

Julian Austin, Canadian country singer, released a song called Should... Read More

Lessons We Learned From Terri Schiavo

Let's talk about Terry Schiavo, since her death illustrated for... Read More

How To Heal Your Heart

We all experience severe heart break at some time in... Read More

Pet Loss: Significant and Profound Loss or Much Ado about Nothing?

For those who have deeply loved and lost their animal... Read More

Grief Support: The Dos

Helpers often ask questions such as: "What should I do?... Read More

Afraid Of Dying? Afraid Of Living!

Over the years, I've heard many people voice their concerns... Read More

Why Dont We Talk About Anticipatory Grief?

I know anticipatory grief - a feeling of loss before... Read More

Death, Close and Personal

I got an email recently from someone whose mother died.... Read More

Sympathy Flowers

Sending a floral tribute is a very appropriate way of... Read More

Moving Beyond Grief and Loss

In my work as a coach and therapist, I have... Read More

How to Deal With A Death in the Family and Still Run Your Small Business

As a small business owner we have to deal with... Read More

Good Grief!

If tears are an indication of how special my relationship... Read More

Terminal Illness- Death and Grief

No one likes to think about illness and death, when... Read More

The Valley of Sorrow or My Life as a Well Digger

It felt like I had been run over by a... Read More

The Truth About Emotional Intelligence

There is so much emphasis on emotional intelligence these days... Read More

How My Four Your Old Son Reacted To The Death Of His Great Nanny Biscuits

My nan was called Margaret and lived until the age... Read More

Loss Involves Change - The Transformative Power of Loss and Change

There are many experiences in life, which remind us that... Read More

How Can I Transform Tragedy?

There is only one place where tragedy occurs, and that... Read More

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Justin was a typical ten year old boy. He liked... Read More

Learning to Live Again

Overcoming death and beginning once again to live is the... Read More