SHORT STORIES
A TRIP
TO FAYE’S Funeral
Dedication at 2pm
Viewing will be held at the Eyre Funeral Home in Nampa, Idaho. February 6th
between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Funeral service at 11:00 in the 9th Ward
My Aunt Faye Ward
Wilson died on Sunday or maybe it was a Monday. News of her demise had been
left on my recorder a few days before I listened to my phone messages. It was
10 p.m. the first day of February when I listened to the recording.
"Uncle Wally this is Janet I have some
sad news. Aunt Faye died."
Janet is my niece. She is very attractive,
smart, loving and caring, as was her mother Hope, my oldest sister. Being it
was near bed time, I suffered the news with tears rolling down my cheeks, along
with an along time friend Jim Beam and went to bed. In the morning, February 2nd
7a.m. I was going through my daily routine at the computer with a yellow lined
note pad, pencil in hand, starring at the black wall behind the computer
screen, sipping coffee. After a time, my mind, hand and pencil began writing
the schedule of the day. Plans, times, goals slowly unraveled on to the note
pad. The most important item on the note pad was Auntie Faye, what to do about
her untimely death?
I knew the routine by heart from
attending other Mormon funerals many of the procedures that were going to take
place a standard Mormon funeral. For
instance, time is not of the essence, it is programmed to start in five to
seven days. It would start in the morning, and go on and on the full day
through. (Mormon funerals are put off until everyone in the Republic can attend.)
Their funerals come on a week-end after a member’ heart stops. Family, friends,
church brethren of the deceased give their opinion of why God will allow the
deceased to go into the highest celestial kingdom. A clear case of telling God
what to do. Anyone, everyone can express their opinion by way of song, books,
testimonies, prayer as to why the Lord or his Son, will allow the body and soul
in question into the Celestial Kingdom whether they be a saint or sinner.
I was born and raised in the church. Sister
Faye Wilson will be welcomed into the kingdom of God by all in attendance.
That's for fact, welcomed. She was second to none for living the Covenants.
Her bishop, elders, teachers, priests
will testify in the name of Jesus Christ and in so many words, state there will be no
standing in line for Sister Faye on her way to heavens highest level. In fact,
their testimony without doubt will state her soul and perfected body has
already arrived at her waiting husband, Elder Don Wilson’s present location.
Now, Bother Wilson will create a world of his own, for all “Time and
Eternity.” Everyone raise your right
hand. Any objections. So be it.
Five days before the
funeral day should give me plenty of time to make plans for Aunt Faye’s
funeral.
Having been born the year of our Lord 1915,
it would make my Aunt Faye ninety one years old on February third if in fact
that was her death day. By coincidence, her oldest sister Lottie, died a dozen
years prior to her at that time period and same age. All of the Wards have good
genes.
I
finished the second cup of coffee, (its ok if I drink coffee because I am a
Jack Mormon) and began relaying the funeral information to my five kids. I have
four boys and one daughter as far as I know. My daughter Natalie is my youngest
child by a second marriage. Natalie is twenty-nine and lives far from Nampa,
Idaho, Faye's past residence. As far as my two older boys there is an age
difference of sixty-two years between them and Faye. They had a few vague
memories of past family reunions at cousin Dave and Ruth Petersen’s ranch in
Bear Lake.
Brian who
owns Skydiveogden.com said he would fly me up in hid Sessna. I wouldn't have to go alone.
I then called
my kids, my deceased youngest sister Suzanne’s, former husband’s new wife. She
said they hadn’t heard about the death, was sorry, and promised to tell her
husband, and his son Jeff. Additionally, she promised to tell those on her side
of the family tree. You the reader may have noticed several of my family
members are dead. Actually, I’m the last.
Two days passed
bye, it was Wednesday February fifth.
Brian's plane was being overhauled by a bipolar mechanic. I decided I
would get to Nampa all by myself, even if I had to miss seeing Super Bowl
Sunday. To be continued...
