What we do best -

Today I attended the funeral services for Anne Andrus, Bonny and Bruce's good friend and a member of their ward.  She had battled cancer for two years, but the battle ended last Tuesday with her untimely death.  Bonny's girls have been with me this week while she and Ella traipsed about Amsterdam and Paris, so I drove them out to the funeral this morning.

It was a beautiful service - I will write more when I'm not so tired and worn out from driving too and from Malibu - in Saturday traffic, it can be quite mind-numbing!!  But as I walked the halls looking to gather up the girls to drive them home, I looked in the kitchen at the Relief Society sisters - and an able priesthood brother - as they toiled away making sure that the funeral luncheon was moving along smoothly.

This funeral luncheon was a bit different - no ham and funeral potatoes here!  Tom, Anne's husband, announced at the end of his eulogy, that there was a luncheon after and he wanted everyone to stay because they were serving 4 of Anne's favorites - she wanted everyone to enjoy being together!  

There was Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese food - and Dominoe's Pizza!  It was great food, and everyone granted Anne her wish and enjoyed the food and fellowship that comes when we break bread together.  Part way into the afternoon, the family gathered everyone together to view a video that Anne had prepared.  She spoke of her children and her husband and her great love for them.  She ended with her testimony of eternal life and the knowledge that families are indeed forever.  It was very moving and touched many hearts.

Meanwhile the women of the ward were moving efficiently and mostly silently in the background.  Water pitchers got refilled, food was dished up and replenished as it became scarce, and used plates, cups and napkins were whisked away.  Needs were being met by the good women of Palisades Ward.  Just as they had helped and served Anne and her family for the last two years as she struggled with the challenge of her illness, the women were coming together this final time to make sure all was in order for their dear friend and sister.

I thought about how constant this quality is throughout the church.  I have never been to an LDS funeral that did not have able and loving sisters working hard behind the scenes to make that final act of service for the departed sister or brother.  What a great blessing to be able to serve one another one last time!  What a great blessing to be able to serve!