Norma's Memorial Service
Norma L. Etherington
A Celebration of Life
Memorial Service
January 10, 2016
Mom never wanted a sad funeral, long before she died I recall her saying with great conviction "I don’t want a funeral, I want a celebration that glorifies God. When you’re a Christian you look forward to seeing Jesus.”
When the diagnosis of AML was given, what for many would be shocking and devastating news was an opportunity for mom to again practice what she preached. Doctors indicated that there were maybe months ahead and some treatment that might sustain her, but that it would end her in a short period of time.
As she delivered this news I felt shock and a deep pain, but what I kept thinking was "Mom, don't you hear what your saying?” Her delivery was so calm and matter of fact, as if she was giving an overview of the days events. I told her I was sure she was in a state of shock and thus not grasping that she was just told that her life would soon be ending! Her voice was warm and she was at ease in her words as she explained how I was getting it wrong. She said, "Oh honey, you speak as if I have received a death sentence. I'm not condemned, it is just the opposite I have been given a life sentence, and I have a lot to do before my sentence is up. She then outlined her priorities and plans, to me in this order:
1.) Go calling in the community. There were neighbors she had been meaning to go visit, but she had not been feeling well and it had been a busy between the food bank and Right to Life. But she was 100% certain that there was witnessing to be done, souls to be won and a love to be shared. - This, she said was a wake up call she needed to make time.
2.) She wanted to be with her Church Family, she wanted to talk to different ones and give them things or tell them thoughts that she hoped might be meaningful. She said I want to teach Sunday school; there were some great lessons she had been preparing.
3.) There were special people in her life that she hoped to have a little time with, to laugh over some stories and to rejoice over eternal life with Jesus. She ended saying that she would like some time with "my boys". She wanted to sit together and look at pictures from when we were young and us all to tell stories of different things we remembered. She said, "I want you each to know how much I love you, how much God loves you, and how proud I am to be your mother".
She stated each point with such conviction and certainty that it sounded more of an indulgence that she was going to have the privilege of enjoying. It was not a checklist nor a bucket list, but a Things I Love List - fellowship, laughing, testifying, giving praise. She loved people and she wanted to spend the days she had with those she loved and cared for the most.
There was a light in my mother, a twinkle in her eyes and sincerity when she spoke, a deep joy in her laugh. Qualities that were not reserved for a select few but given freely to anyone she met. In moments of sadness I think of that love she gave and the joy she brought, I hear her saying those words "You got it all wrong it a life sentence, you have to make your days count".
