FUNERALS

Yesterday, Mrs. Ref and I attended the funeral of the daughter of one of her friends. She was about 24, I think. She suffered from spina bifida, and had multiple complications recently.

She was over in the hospital in Missoula last week while we were up at Family Camp. Mrs. Ref had been keeping in touch with her friend throughout the week. It had seemed like she was improving after her most recent surgery, which kept her in the hospital in the first place. And we decided to stop by on our way home, since we had to drive right by anyway.

We got there just in time to be told that life support had been pulled.

The funeral was yesterday. It was held in the school gym. There was a eulogy, which went well as far as eulogies go. The service was officiated by a Lutheran pastor who gave a very good sermon. There was a slide show from her life which was actually well done. And there was a local trio who sang three "old time gospel songs" interspersed throughout the service. At least none of the songs were "Born Free."

All in all, it was a good service. My only complaint was that we weren't able to go out for the graveside service, so we missed the reception afterwards and mingling with the people there.

And now, life goes on. Which includes adventures in church carpet, about which I will fill you in later.