Prayers and Chicken Salad...

I flipped on the light over the kitchen sink in the predawn darkness and poured myself a cup of coffee. Retrieving the chicken from the refrigerator that I had cooked before I went to bed, I began chopping it up for salad. There was a funeral today and I was asked to bring a platter of sandwiches for the reception after the service. As I prepared sandwiches I prayed for his family and thought about our beloved Pastor T. He moved here in 1993, after he was retired, and became our Volunteer Pastor of Visitation. He was always cheerful and spry; and oh, how he loved to visit... he loved people, and they loved him! When my father-in-law died almost nine years ago he was the first one to the house to be with Mom, he was the face of Christ to her in those hours. He visited me after my surgery in May, 2005; he stood at the window of the hospital room and pointed out all the landmarks and gave me an impromptu history/geography lesson that morning. He died in the early morning hours of December 23, in his sleep. I learned today that it's precisely what he'd hoped for, what a blessing for him! I cut the crusts from the bread and layered the little sandwiches onto a platter. I prayed for peace and comfort for his immediate and extended family. I prayed too for my dear friend who instructed me in the fine art of finger-sandwich preparation for funeral receptions. She doesn't get out much anymore, the food-preparing torch has been passed from her generation, now, to mine. She told me, one day, which bread to buy and how it needed to be frozen so that the bread could be de-crusted and cut just so without falling apart. I did it exactly as she had taught me. (This isn't my platter pictured; it came from Google images.) I gathered up all the bread trimmings, cubed them, and tossed them with a little butter and seasoned salt and baked them in a slow oven; et voila, croutons! (She never told me to do that, I thought it up on my own, but I believe she'd think it's a clever idea.) The funeral was one of the most beautiful I have ever attended, the Chrismon trees were still in the chancel and poinsettias lined the steps. The aisle candles were lit as well as the Advent wreath and Christ candle. What a glorious time of year to be called Home, thanks be to God! I came back to our house today filled with mixed emotions, both sad (for the earthly loss) and happy (for Heaven's gain) at the same time. What a day, one that began (and most likely will conclude!) with prayers and chicken salad (I had a LOT left over...).

Life is Good!