A Most Unusual Funeral!

By Helen Jesze, 24^th November 2018

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you,”

Ephesians 4, 32 NIV

Maggie Fenton’s funeral wake was to be held on the day which would have been her 80th birthday. The vicar and her friends Charles and Caroline, sent out the invitations, and Caroline made a special chocolate cake for the guests, as this had been Maggie’s express wish. Maggie’s son and daughter with their families were also invited; they usually wrote once a year to her and it was several years since she had seen them. Ben, the youngest son, who had left 16 years ago to fight the Indians, had only written one time.

The day arrived and the guests filed into Maggie’s little house. Neighbours brought a dish or plate of food, then stood around talking in hushed tones. One person that nobody knew was there at the back of the room, dressed all in black, and with a thick veil covering her face. It was said that this lady had been a friend of Maggie’s, and had known her all her life.

Maggie’s son and daughter arrived with their families and last of all, Ben, tall and wearing a big cowboy hat walked in. Everybody wanted to shake his hand or give him a hug, saying it had been ”too long, but so good he was here now!” Suddenly, the black-robed figure at the back of the room called out,”That’s right! It’s been TOO LONG!” The lady stepped into the middle of the room and throwing back her veil, revealed Maggie Fenton herself!

Ben was angry and cried out: “Mom, you got us here under false pretences! You’re not dead at all! You gave us an awful shock!” “Shock,” cried Maggie,”You got a shock, but what about all those 16 years when I never knew if you were alive or dead, and never got any news about you! And my grandchildren I haven’t seen for years, although they don’t live far away! I am an old woman now, and don’t know how long I have to live. I wanted to see you all one more time. You wouldn’t have come for my birthday, but what a shame it took my funeral to get you to come!”

Soon tears were flowing and the family was asking their mother for forgiveness for their lack of love. Charles picked up his fiddle and bow and started to play a lively jig, shouting out: “Let’s have a party and not a wake!” Caroline lit the birthday candle and the dancing began! Maggie and Ben stepped out together and the 16 years melted away, as they danced in the middle of the room!