Saying goodbye

My friend Raymond and I met at work 30+ years ago. He was a newly hired electric lineman who worked his way up to crew leader before being offered the job that moved him inside to the office next to mine. We spent many a day laughing as he learned the nuances of working with a computer which he was starting from ground zero. He could get his emails and that was about it. He was the kind of person who made one feel happy.

He loved even when he went through the heartbreak of a divorce.

He loved his family, his four sisters and a brother. He was his momma’s baby boy and he was always telling me stories of things she did or said to him. He went to see her every Sunday after church or would go to church with her. She lived two hours away. He rests beside her now and his sister said it was his place.

He was devout in his faith.

His funeral service today was held at the church of his youth, a small country church in the middle of corn and soybean fields. The service lasted almost two hours as several pastors preached and many rousing, uplifting songs were sung by some tremendous voices. There was sadness but there was more. I don’t think I have ever been to a funeral service that strived to give so much joy that one would leave feeling at peace and with the promise of love even as we mourned.

We stepped outside into sunshine and I filled my pockets with light. Which is love.

It was a good day.