Can anyone find a positive during this pandemic?
Coral Ridge Presbyterian church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida did.
They chose to honor the death of one of their saints with masks, social distancing and livestream.
For me, that broadcast allowed me to attend the service of Kaye Carlson, my dear friend Julie's mom. My fiesty, fearless, comforter and best friend was how Julie described her.
A beautiful organ prelude had a few notes changed by one of her former choir members as a way to honor "Miss Kaye" beyond the ordinary funeral fare.
Her memorial service began with praises and honor to Jesus.....a celebration of Kaye's life with Him as her Lord and Savior. "Great is Thy Faithfulness," sung by all, echoed that relationship.
Scripture reading of Psalm 121:2--reminded us all that our "help comes from the Lord"; John 14:1-6--comforted all with assurance that Jesus, "the way the truth and the Life," is the way to the Father; and Romans 8:37--was a powerful proclamation that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How spot on was the pastor when "and so it is" concluded his reading! Amen!
Friends and family thanked God for every remembrance of her in their lives and descriptors shared of Kaye are way too lengthy to mention here. All rejoiced in knowing her, saw her as the "Queen of Hospitality" whose door was always open to extras. Kaye fed the multitudes and was famous for her potato salad. Daughter, Julie, shared that her mom was such an anchor for all their souls as wife and "life of the party" to their dad, a mom to Steve and her, a surrogate mom, a foster mom, a grandmother, a Gigi, a sister, a choir member, etc. With an affinity for all the writings of "The Bard," Julie had to read the works of Shakespeare to fully converse with her. My favorite part of Julie's sharing was Carlson Family's Friday Fun Night---attendance was required and her mom orchestrating many trips, from campgrounds (not w/ tents) to IA and MN. Her brother Steve found "FIREWORKS" in Tennessee. That really resonated with me because Tennessee is where my path crossed with Julie and I got to meet Kaye.
She is her mother's daughter. Together we tag-teamed in caring for mutual friends, Claudia and Terry Parlow, through both paralysis and cancer. I'm sure we were strengthened with prayers from her parents, Kaye and Jim, along the way.
Kaye's memorial today was also the day she married Jim 60 years ago! What a memory for a life well-lived with her spouse.
The service ended as it had begun-- honoring Jesus with the standing and singing of the "Hallelujah Chorus" followed by a bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace" as the family exited.
What a celebration of life and of two funerals---Kaye's and Jesus'.
