I love this song as it is so pretty but, man oh man, is it long; six verses in fact, with a reprise. When I was asked to sing this at my Grandmother’s funeral, originally, I thought it would be during the service, but as the details finalized a decision was made to have me lead everyone at the grave site.
The plan was Luke Gordon, our neighbor, who was studying to be a minister, would open with a prayer, and say a couple of words about Gram. Then I would sing and he would say the closing prayer. Gram took care of Luke as a young boy and his younger brother and for him do the service added a more personal touch. I told Luke I was only singing two verses, first and second, because those were known the most, which he agreed. He wanted to keep the grave site service simple and quick.
I remembered when I exited our car the smell of fresh rain, pine needles and the heat struck me. If you are not from Texas, after a quick rain shower, it is usually followed with intense heat combined with humidity - almost like walking into a sauna.
As we walked through Hooks Cemetery to Gram’s grave what struck me was how hidden it was! The cemetery itself wasn’t big; in fact, if you were driving and didn’t know you would pass it. Walking through the woods on a gravel path, and trying to avoid the ant piles and the mosquitoes, we found her resting place.
When everyone stopped and gathered around the casket, my great uncle, Gram’s sister’s husband, who is also a minister, walked up to the casket and snapped off one of the roses and stuck it into his lapel and turned to get everyone’s attention.
I have to say this was confusing to the PLAN that Luke and I had set. Before I knew what happened, Luke’s service was altered and my Great Uncle had taken over. He placed his hand on my shoulder and announced that I would lead everyone in “Amazing Grace”. I turned around opening my hymnal with my left hand, looked up, and started to conduct with my right hand. It startled me that two feet in front of me was one of my cousin's, Darrell, who I didn’t know very well. I looked around to make sure everyone was ready when a swarm of mosquitoes descended on everyone in the service.
People were swatting the pests with their hands, purses or whatever they had handy. By the second verse (which I was going to stop) a mosquito flew into my mouth. I have to say singing, keeping your composure, trying NOT to spit out a mosquito because in most assuredly would land on your cousin is without a doubt one of the hardest things I have had to do. I tried to hurry the tempo, but Darrell; I found out really liked this song. He knew every verse and sang out with all his might.
By the third and fourth verses came along the mosquitoes decided to take up residence on my head, and from the looks of everyone else they were having the same problem. I will be honest and say I lost focus on the song. My right hand that was supposed to be leading the song was beating the wave of mosquitoes trying to go into my ears, up my nose and back into my mouth, but the tempo was solid. Of course, there was an added percussion with all the slapping going on and some choreography due to many shifting around “dancing” trying to avoid the invasion. My Mom had taken off her jacket to cover my youngest who was ten months old at the time. As we approached the final note of the song everyone gave a big sigh.
Many members of the family have been back to the cemetery without the swarm of mosquitoes. I know Gram was standing there watching and laughing. What a great send off for her to leave laughing.
Labels:
Amazing Grace,
Funeral,
Gram,
Mosquitoes
Glad you all are liking this story. I am making a list of other funny things that has happened. If you know of one let me know.