Irises By the Church

Rhonda, a sweet lady I worked with for many years, passed away in March, after a very short battle with cancer. With things being what they are due to the coronavirus, the memorial service was postponed several times before actually taking place on this day.

The church itself was closed, and the service was held in an outdoor worship area among the trees, which suited this girl just fine. We were all instructed to bring along chairs for sitting, and to wear masks, which everyone did. In some ways, the whole thing was sort of surreal.

There was a break in the service where we were invited to share memories and reflections of our friend. And I did. I had been looking through my friend's Facebook timeline, when I came across a poem she had posted there in January: Christina Rossetti's Miss Me - But Let Me Go. It seemed a fitting thing for the moment at hand, so I read it out loud.

It was a sad occasion that brought us together, but I was happy to get to visit with some work friends I had not seen in a while. After the service was over, we stood and chatted for about another hour. It was almost like a work reunion, but with masks this time, and among the trees.

I am a lover of all things purple, and my eye had been caught by some pretty irises I spotted along the church. And so before my husband showed up to whisk me away, I stopped to snag a few photos. Above you may see a few of those flowers. Aren't they just glorious?

Here is a song for my friend, who is walking with Jesus now: Rising Applachia, with I'll Fly Away.