February 13, 2008

Last evening was the first time in my life that I received news that two friends of mine had died within an hour of each other. One was our church worship leader/choir director who only retired a few months ago and the other was my chiropractor who I have known for 20 years and was like a big brother to me. Both deaths were totally unexpected. And this afternoon I found out that both funerals will be Friday at 2 P.M. Both visitations will be tomorrow evening, Valentine's Day, and I have the boys and we have planned ever since they had their tonsils out to have pizza and watch a movie together. Since I was in Houston for five days, they have needed some extra TLC from Mom since I have been back. We had choir practice tonight and it was probably more like a wake minus the family. We told stories about John and laughed and cried together. Then we fought back the tears as we practiced the song that had already been planned for this Sunday (I Will Carry You), and the two songs that we will probably sing at his funeral (Midnight Cry and Total Praise). His son, who has a band that is quite popular here in town and leads worship at very comtemporary church here in town is planning on singing the solo on Midnight Cry. I've sung at several funerals, but I don't think I could do what he is planning to do. All the former choir members are invited to sing in the choir at the funeral and they are expecting our normal 30-40 to swell to more than 100. We may be a medium sized church with a not-so-large choir, but we have made four CD's and have a reputation locally for our music. Even though I would love to go to my chiropractor's service, I will go to John's because it will be an experience I don't want to miss.

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