I am at the airport, heading home, after a weekend crammed with activity and emotions. How very blessed I feel about this particular trip. When I said goodbye to my Minneapolis friends at the end of May, I was not sure that I would see them again. This trip allowed me more treasured moments with them as well as other significant folks from the various parts of me life.

The weekend activities and the reading from Micah 6:8 today reminded me what is required:

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Once again I saw what God wants–do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with others as part of a tribe that belongs to God. On Friday night, the women who had come up for a visit with me at the end of May got together for supper. Three of us would make the trip south for the funeral for the sister of another friend.  We continued to reminisce about the past and to build new memories. After that, I met with friends who had had another significant impact on my life from a couple of decades ago. I had lived in the inner city of Washington, DC for a year with these folks. Their daughter, now grown, joined us and we quickly launched into deep conversation.   I always appreciate those relationships that take up exactly where they left off. I had a teary goodbye with those folks.

I may write more about the funeral in the coming week but I saw much kindness and strength in the 24 hours we were in Iowa City. I am heartened and have much rumbling in my head and heart about what I want for my own send-off now.  I was edified that there was so much Love in the gatherings. One of the conversations turned to the delight that the deceased person had for dragonflies. After she passed, a dear friend worked in her garden, visited by a dragonfly who followed her around, instilling a deep peace and joy within her.

Many who know me, know that I too love dragonflies. I have captured many with my camera from around the world.  Today as I walked with a man who I had not seen in many years, a beautiful orange dragonfly lighted on the flower as we stood chatting. Like all winged creatures, it flew away. One of the songs sung by my friend at the funeral to send  her sister off was I’ll Fly Away. I could not help but think that all of us need to fly away like dragonflies, Home, at some point. I am now home once again, having flown away a couple of hours ago and landed gently here.

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

Has there been a funeral that you have attended that has blessed you?

Have you ever had a visit from the Other Side after someone died?

Prayer

Help us fly away when the time comes, unencumbered and free, to be be with you in our Home.  Amen.