How Love Goes On
Have you ever thought about what will it be like after death? Will you be remembered? What will people say? Will I be forgotten after I die?
This past week I learned of the death of a first cousin. With his death, there are now only three of us left of that generation in my maternal family. In a written message to his daughters, I shared about the trek my cousins Doug and Chuck made from Smiley, Saskatchewan to Calgary, Alberta…driving a Fordson Major tractor—250 miles, at a top speed of 5-6 miles per hour! This was about 1950.
His family (and other related members) were reminded of what an achievement this was. I was too young to remember the actual event, yet “family memory” is as clear as if being told again.
More than once, I have witnessed testimony to the effect: “It doesn’t really matter, because after I am gone, no one will remember me.” I want to remind everyone; they will be remembered. Each of us will be remembered, long after our time here on earth. I am sure most of us could compose a list.
When we would return to visit family in Saskatchewan, sharing family story was one highlight. Our daughter loved to hear the stories. Often these were followed up in the car on the long journey back to the Island.
This past week, we had the opportunity to engage in a visit with the daughter of a family who was part of our lives in our first parish. It was a number of years since our last contact. The memory of their parents was as if it was yesterday. We are all remembered. It was like hearing their voices as we relived their characteristics. Her mother (now deceased) and I both have a familial tremor. I shared how when pouring tea, her mother would jokingly say, “Brian we need to get in rhythm.”
A “contemporary” hymn comes to us from Robert Lowry (1826-1899), “How Can I Keep from Singing?” It has been renewed over a period of years and has recently come to the Christian music scene. One of our favorite recordings is by Marila Ness. The chorus goes like this:
No storm can shake my in-most calm,
While to the Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
Yes, we will be remembered—by the love we received and the love we shared. Just as the love of the Lord is eternal, so too is our love—given and received.
Blessings this week,
Archdeacon Brian+
