On Eagles’ Wings May 6, 2008

They sang one of my favorite hymns (my other I mentioned before is the Prayer of St Francis) today at my AUnt Jo’s funeral:

 

On Eagle’s Wings

 

Words and Music: Michael Joncas

 

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shal mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, “My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust.”

 

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

 

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.

 

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

 

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

 

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

 

For to His angels He’s given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

 

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

 

She looked very peaceful and her life was celebrated today by family and friends and a beautiful sunny perfect day. Her granddaughter got up and spoke which I thought was very brave. I have a couple vivid memories of her as her granddaughters are very close to my age and my mom is very close to her daughter so we spent a good amount of time together as we were growing up. One of them is jsut of her laughing so hard at my cousin who was performing some silly antics in pants that were too small for her and the other is of her dancing with my grandmother to some italian tune at a wedding. They aren’t earth shattering memories but depict her outgoing colorful personality. The priest suggested to us to take memories we have and make them a part of us-not being afraid to have a good time would be something I’d like to make a part of me.

Aunt Jo was the wife of my grandfather’s brother, Salvatore or as we knew him Uncle Tudi (I hope I spelled that right.) He was not only his brother but best friend and passed away long ago of lung cancer. This really was the beginning of my awareness of cancer (I was only a teenager) and he is one of my team’s inspirations to Relay.

One of the things I (in my mind) rebel against at funerals is the tradition of wearing black and dull colors. Maybe this is a little morbid but I think natural to contemplate your own mortality but I want to be the one wearing red at my funeral.  I would really want everyone to dress colorful because life is colorful. I understand it’s a symbol of mourning and a time to grieve but funerals are also a celebration of a life. I would hope the emphasis would be on that.

I hope Aunt Jo rests peacfully and feeling celebrated.