A Peaceful Goodbye

It has been the longest day! I got up early, showered, check the oil in my jeep and headed to the store to fill up before Julie and I took off for Virginia. All was going good until I got back in the jeep and click,click, click, oh no, it wouldn't start. There I was stuck and Julie was suppose to be at the house in 30 minutes and then we had to pick up Scott to get him there for the funeral. So I got on the phone, first, I called Julie, caught her just as she was leaving so she wheeled back in to get her other car then I called my hh who had left home at 4:00 am for a day of fishing with his friend. I knew he couldn't help but it just made me feel better to let him in on the fun. I then called our family mechanic, no answer! Then I noticed this man patiently waiting until I got off the phone to ask if I needed help. Heck yeah I needed help, I was losing time and had the gas pumps blocked. He came around to jump me off which I confused me at first since his battery is in the trunk of his car and after trying that for several minutes he declared that my battery was dead. I was insistent that it wasn't since the jeep had been sitting for two weeks and started right up this morning. He then proceeded to totally dismantle my battery cables and clean the posts and hook back up the cables. A miracle....it started up and ran fine. When I asked how much I owed him he just smiled and said"Just have a blessed day and praise the Lord" It turned out that he was the manager of the drug rehab camp that is one of my church's ministries. Now how is that for a God ordained meeting. I told him that we were going to celebrate the life of a fellow christian and that we would be praising the Lord all day.
I have to say that at first I was very reluctant to let on that I was home alone. Of course out walks a neighbor who keeps questioning me about the location of my husband, "Is he home", "no", "is he at work", "no", "is he fishing", "yes" "well then just call him because the lake is right across the road", "well he isn't fishing near here". I just wanted to shout, "If you aren't going to help then please shut up and leave"
We made the trip just fine and I am so grateful that we were able to go today. It was the most peaceful goodbye. The ceremony was in the outdoor chapel with a light breeze blowing and Daniel playing the fiddle. I can't imagine a more fitting tribute to a great man.
Julie and I were like the secret service, just following Elizabeth around, ready to step in if we saw the need. We really should have worn black suits with wrap around sunglasses and cords coming out of our ears. I pray for peace for the family as they grieve.

Cindi