Today is Wednesday, April 7th, 2010; Karen's Korner #1793
Yesterday was the memorial service of a church friend, Lynn Blankenship. She would have been 53 in June. Lynn had a physical condition that rendered her a prisoner of her own body, unable to walk, talk, or have much use of her hands. She has been a resident of our local care facility since she was 21.
But it was Lynn's ability to communicate (using eye signals) and her spirit (which was filled with joy and thanksgiving) that rendered her 'popular' enough to fill the care center dining room for her service yesterday, as we sang and participated in a service of her making.
One of the songs Lynn chose for her service was "Jesus Loves Me":
Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.
CHORUS:
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, He who died, Heaven's gate to open wide.
He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
CHORUS
Jesus loves me, He will stay, close beside me all the way.
He's prepared a home for me, and some day His face I'll see.
CHORUS
~~
Lynn also included a poem she had written nearly 20 years earlier:
SOMEDAY WHEN I AM FREE
When I die and meet Jesus,
It will be beautiful.
No more tears of pain.
No more earthly body functions.
I will have wings to watch,
As my body gets torn apart and tested.
It will feel so good.
Not to be jailed by my body.
Most people with my disease are retarded.
God gave my mind.
He guides me through each day.
~~
Our final hymn was "I'll Fly Away":
Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away.
To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away.
CHORUS
I'll fly away, O glory, I'll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by
I'll fly away.
When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll fly away
Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll fly away.
CHORUS
Just a few more weary days and then, I'll fly away
To a land where joys shall never end, I'll fly away.
CHORUS
~~
Then we (friends, care center residents and staff) took our helium balloons and launched them from the front stoop of the place she'd called home for more than thirty years.
Per Lynn's request.
Lynn is set free!
Back