that I wish I could share with you. In the moment that it presented itself to me, I found that I just could not invade the somberness of that moment to ask if I could take a picture. so, allow me to attempt to describe it to you. It is a picture worth a thousand words, although I will try to help you see the moment in far fewer words.
I had been delivering sandals donated by our church to villages in the southern part of Belize. I stopped at one more house to leave a box of sandals as well as some materials for the children's ministry at this mission church. It was a very enjoyable time, not only delivering these gifts but sharing the occasion with a couple of other Belizean men.
We pulled into the yard where we would make the delivery, smiling and enthusiastic. To our surprise, several people were in the yard, almost as if they were waiting for us.
They were waiting... as it turned out, but not for us.
The joy we had in our hearts vanished like a puff of smoke as the reality of the scene in front of us made it's way into our conscious minds.
The several people were loosely gathered around
a simple wooden casket.
A man came to see what we wanted, recognized the pastor who was with me and explained that his father-in-law had died during the night. They were preparing for the funeral and burial to be held in just a few hours. (This is a rather quick process here in Belize.)
We explained our purpose, departed from the vehicle, made our delivery and went to stand near the casket with the family members that had gathered there. Two young adults were just beginning to apply varnish to the plain light wood to dress it up a little. They worked in near silence as the others looked on. It was a bit of a surreal moment for me, seeing, not a professional mortician at work in a room separated from sight behind walls or thick curtains in a safe and comfortable funeral home - but two family members painting varnish onto the casket of a loved one, while other loved ones watch and wait.
The picture that strikes me the most is this:
I am standing near the head of the casket. The two family members are painting on the varnish, beginning at the top and reverently working their way down and around. Other family members are nearby. Occasional hushed conversations may be heard. Right in the middle of the scene is one other person. She is elderly. She is sitting by herself on a chair next to the casket. She is not speaking to anyone nor is anyone speaking to her. She wears the wrinkles of many, many years across her sunken face. She wears a red blouse and blue skirt. She is sitting somewhat slouched with both her arms and her legs crossed. She merely watches what is happening around her but is not a mere observer. Her husband is in that casket.
Just last night, they had watched the grandchildren play around the house - and remembered when they were young enough to play like that. Just last night, they had talked of good memories and future days with the parents of those children. Just last night, she had gone to sleep with him next to her, as they had for thousands of nights before.
Yet this was to be their last night together. Death slipped in during the night and stole from her. The thief, as all thieves do, did not ask permission, did not give warning nor even spare her feelings. Just like that, it was all over, just last night.
She sits there, sad, alone in the midst of other family.
Alone in her thoughts, alone in her pain, alone in many ways....
and they are etched into her face.
I cannot read them all but I see them. I see them in the dark emptiness that is in her eyes.
I see them and so much wanted you to see this also.
I could not break into the sacredness of this moment though.
The protective barriers of much of North American society are not in place here. Life...and it's shadowy companion, death...are in many ways, much closer to people here. I saw it up close and personal today and wish you could see what I saw.
Death makes life more precious. Enjoy it.
~ Ray
2 comments:
Ray,
what a poignant picture! Thanks for the reminder.
My hard drive crashed... I was going to respond to the latest questions from the MVNU people, but can't now that all the email info is gone. Could you send that to me, please?
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!!
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