Family matters.

Today's posting contains a verse that was read at Gwen's funeral. This reading was suggested to me by Sister Dorothy Ederer.  Sister Dorothy has, as have all members of the clergy, staff and parishioners at my faith community, St. Mary Student Parish, been of immeasurable assistance since Gwen's death.  She is one of the most genuine, spiritual and loving people whom I know--and, she also writes books about golf.  Who am I to not follow her recommendations?  This is a part of that reading from Collosians 3 12-14:

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another,  if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 

When my children and I talked about who might be the best person for this reading we agreed that her brother Ted should be the one.  The reading talks about the values that Gwen loved so dearly and tried to put into practice in everything she did.  Above all, she valued family. Living in a family always requires that we remember little and forgive much, "bearing with one another and forgiving one another", as the reading states. It was fitting that her oldest sibling represent her family by reading it.

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, all mentioned in the reading, were also characteristics that we loved so much in Gwen.  Most of all, she had a generosity of spirit, especially when it came to her family.  As our daughter talked about in her eulogy, Gwen would literally give you the shirt off her back.  As Jeanne put it, if one were to compliment Gwen on a blouse she was wearing, she would launder it,  iron it, put it in a box, wrap it, and make up a reason to give it to you as a gift. We miss that, and so much more about you, Gwen, and we thank you for your years of  love that lives on and continues to bind us together as a family.