This past week I heard a radio show that discussed celebrations of life. There was a suggestion that it marginalized the gravity of death. I’m not sure that anyone could marginalize the death of a child. Nonetheless it gave me cause to pause and think.
I reflect back on what motivated us to have a Wake, a celebration of life and was it God honoring. Â Earlier that week we had the funeral. It was powerful, filled with tears and intense grieving. It was filled with the Lord’s presence and I do believe we honored Him.
In retrospect I have come to the conclusion that we did not have a celebration of life as understand in common society rather we celebrated Brian’s life. The funeral honored him and reassured the ones he left behind. The Wake celebrated Brian’s salvation and the hope that we will be reunited in heaven one day. The Wake was in fact a celebration of hope. While I believe the wake honored our Lord it surely didn’t come close to the power of the funeral.
For me the wake was useful. Brian always liked a good party and it was that. Once again though tears rain free while the stories of Brian were shared. I found that so many of us grieve in different ways that it was helpful to offer a wake for those that struggled with the sadness of the funeral.
The funeral reassured us while the wake strengthened our hope.
Beautiful Blue Sky 