Cindy had injured her back while carrying Fernye to the hospital. She had done her best, and had successfully gotten Fernye there ...though it was deemed to be Fernye's time to travel to her eternal home. God's timing is different than our timing, and no one had known that better than Fernye.

 Fernye had prepared her own message that she wanted the preacher to read when she died.  This moment had come.  It is rather easy to read:

                                                                                                                    

"A funeral is not really about the one who appears to be the center of attention ---that is already a done deal.   A funeral is really about all  those left living.   What are the living going to do with their lives?  Okay, so some of you got kind of close to me.  Of course, you'll be hurting right now.  And I know most of you …you'll do a fine job supporting each other.   I have attended so many funerals in my life where there is more concern over how much an imposition into their own life the death has made ...than how really devastating it may be to the one who is truly grieving.  I once saw  a little girl lose both her parents.  Would you believe there was more talk about how difficult it was going to be on the rest of the family, instead of considering what the poor little girl must be going through?   Make sure to pause ---give them time to reflect on this one."

                                                                                                                
     The preacher waits until the few chuckles pass throughout the large attending crowd, then he continues:  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
     "The only way we can truly look at life is through death.  Much of our lives are otherwise rather meaningless and insignificant.   We fill our lives up with things that don't really matter. There are few moments in life that we actually get real.  The moments in life that I consider significant are moments we have to face grave sickness and disaster, most all moments in the mission field, births, weddings, and funerals.  Since this is my funeral, consideration should be taken to honor my requests.   I only have two.  Actually, I only have one.  I should say I only have two expectations at my funeral.  The first thing I expect is that people will cry.  I don't have to request it …I already know the ones who truly love me.  And I am thankful that there are many of you.  The second thing I expect, is a request I have.  I expect the truth to be told.   Not the truth about me …I don't want one single thing mentioned about me.   Where I'm going, it's not about me.  It's the truth about Jesus that I want to be told at my funeral.  And I want it to be told over and over.  Then if you still want to talk about something, talk about the most wonderful things in life.  Talk about births, and rebirths.   And talk about weddings ...unions, and reunions."

                               *********************

     Fernye knew well what kind of reception she was going to receive ...and what a blessed reunion in Heaven.  Though she wasn't aware of the significance of a reunion about to take place on earth.  Yet, if she was still on earth, she would certainly have higher hopes than anyone. 

Cindy has Merrie Isaac braid her beautiful long hair, just the way Stephen likes it. And she also puts on the dress that she had only worn one time before. It is the dress Fernye and Stephen's Mom, Ruth, had made for her. It's the dress she'd put on over seventeen years ago ---the one she'd worn for that special surprise occasion ---that disappointed her so, when he hadn't noticed.

Yes, she recalls that time she wanted to break the news to him ---the news he still does not know.  

     Cindy chuckles to herself.  It was also the time Stephen had shaved half his face to make a point.  The fact was …that she seldom noticed him either.

As Cindy stitches a last stitch on the quilt she'd been rushing to finish, she closes her eyes. These small stitches are a strain on her eyes, but each stitch is like an important thread in her life.

Cindy hears a small amount of commotion.  She doesn't know whether she has fallen asleep, or is about to.   But now she is wide awake.  She recognizes Shannon's whisper …and quickly puts the quilt beside the sofa. 

As Stephen steps into the room, it's like a moment frozen in time. He gazes lovingly into her eyes from a distance.

     She returns the loving glance.   He knows she is unable to move about with her present back condition, but she touches him with her eyes, and her heart ---her husband is back!

Stephen kneels in front of Cindy and kisses her hand, bathing it in his tears. He can't find the words, or if he could, he can't speak them.

     She understands …no words are necessary.  The same unspoken love overwhelms her with tears. 

  

He sits beside her, gently moving close, kissing her again …and again. Face-to-face, he rests his head against the back of the sofa, and looks lovingly into her eyes.

     He is careful to have consideration for her back, and what pain she may be in.  He carefully moves his head closer until he rubs noses with her, before kissing her again. 

They manage only a few simple words, "I love you." Then they just look at each other, speaking with the heart what words cannot express.

     The love speaks for itself …and that is enough.