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 2006 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 a long-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 members 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 that 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 Cessna. I wouldn't have to go alone.
I called my
kids. I also called my deceased sister Suzanne Jessup, first wife of Frank Jessup.
She said they hadn’t heard about the death, was sorry, and promised to tell her
husband Frank, and his son Jeff and Norman. 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 sole remainder.
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.
IN MEMORY
God looked around his garden and he found an empty space,
then he looked upon the earth and saw your pretty face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden
is so beautiful he only picks the best.
He knew you suffering and in much pain; saw the road was
getting rough, the hills you couldn’t clime. He closed your weary eyelids and
whispered peace is thyme.
It broke our heats to lose you but you didn’t’ go alone. Parts
of us went with you the day you went home.
DR. KARL WALLACE
D.D.S.
