“But it has now
been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has
destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV).
My
husband had a three day tradeshow in Nashville, so while he was working, my
youngest daughter Karalee was enjoying time by the hotel pool with my oldest
daughter and daughter-in-law. A friend called to inform her that one of their close,
mutual friends named Claire had been in a car accident. Things went downhill
quickly and she passed away the next morning.
Karalee had anticipated this being the
greatest summer ever as she had celebrated her 16th birthday just
three weeks earlier. Instead, it had been more to deal with than most teenagers
ever have to face. Two classmates had
already died; one to cancer and the other to a tragic accident at a lumber
company.
She
called me in New Hampshire where I was with my two middle sons at a golf
tournament. The original plan was that once the tradeshow was over, my husband
and daughters were to head to New England to get us and travel back home. Due
to the circumstances, my oldest daughter put Karalee on a plane and sent her
back to Mobile so she could be with her friends.
We returned to Mobile later in the week and as
we were unloading the car, Karalee came home from the funeral dressed in a
beautiful white dress. I was astonished and said, “Karalee, you didn’t wear
that, don’t you know to wear dark colors to a funeral?” She responded, “Actually
we all wore white at Claire’s request.”
Claire had earlier shared with her sister that
if she died, she wanted everyone to wear white to her funeral; she didn’t want
anyone wearing dark, dreary colors. She wanted others to see her passing as a
happy time rather than a sad and depressing event. There is no doubt that this was a heart
breaking incident. But somehow it midst of this tragedy, Claire was trying to
remind us that Christ has conquered death and for that reason, it is a
celebration!
Michele
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