We celebrated the life of Nana (Phyllis Albers) this past Saturday.  Nana didn’t like funerals, and avoided going to funerals.  Sometime ago she told Cathy her daughter that she had arranged to be cremated, and that the Deli Depot was to cater a reception after a memorial service.  As per her wishes, we had a memorial service and the reception.

Most mornings Nana would eat breakfast at the Deli Depot, and so it was fitting for them to cater her reception.  They were like family.  All who were there remembered a genteel kind lady.  Memories included how faithful she was to her Lord and the church.  Nana was known to give rides to the “older women in the community”.  On each Sunday she would give visitors to the worship service a silk red rose in appreciation of their visit, and also as a welcome gesture.  She faithfully prepared coffee early each Sunday morning, and cleaned the coffee pot each Sunday afternoon.

This is a woman who started college when she was 37 years old, and then was a well respected educator for around 30 years.  Even as a young bride, I was impressed with her many talents.  I could not think of anything she could not do.  She could sew, paint, refinish furniture, cook Ever-lovin’s favorite foods, and was so organized.

Nana loved her family and her Lord.  She “went about doing good.”  Her minister talked about how we live the dash in our life. (1925 – 2012).  After the service, I saw our grandson thinking.  You know the look.  I asked him what was he thinking?  He said, “I’m thinking about my dash.”  It is a good thing for all of us to consider.  What happens between our birth and our death is our dash.  May it  be as loving and kind as the life Nana lived.