Nobody wants to do this.
And I don't know WHY I'm doing this, other than the fact that my grandfather has been ill--Poppa--and we have been discussing his wishes for his home-going, should that happen any time soon. And maybe it has something to do with the fact that a student told me that one of her relatives who is my age died suddenly from a blood clot that moved and went to her brain. We do not know when it is our time.
I wouldn't worry about it, either, except there are some things I WANT for my own Homegoing, and these are things I fear won't happen unless I specifically say, "THIS is what I want in my Home-going Celebration."
So, here it goes, my current list (started 4/4/17, updated 1/28/19 and updated as needed) of wants for my Homegoing.
1. I want it called a "Homegoing Celebration." I do NOT want it referred to as a Funeral.
2. I want songs sung and played that are uplifting and that reflect who I have become in Christ. (After all, because of my relationship with Jesus, I will be WITH HIM. And this is anything but a sad thing.)
3. A specific song I want sung (by Aaron Williams and Cathy Williams, if they are available) is "The Happy Song." "The Happy Song," I hope it will be noted, is one of my favorite of all-time because IT NEVER ENDS. Rest assured, my praise for what Christ has done for and in me will NEVER end, either.
4. I want someone to discuss how I found myself, my identity, who I truly am in Him, in HIS WORD and in PRAISE. (And I want people to have an opportunity to re/connect to Christ so they, too, can have this FREEDOM IN CHRIST. The tone of the message must reflect the FREEDOM and GRACE and LOVE He gives).
5. I want someone (or more than one, those closest to me) to sprinkle glitter on me in my coffin. I know this sounds a bit bizarre, but I have ALWAYS loved to sparkle, and I want to be sparkling in the grave until He comes to get my body. (If this thing goes down like we think it will, my body will be resurrected, and I want there to be a trail of glitter as I go to meet Him...I am totally NOT KIDDING.) And, if he quickens my body and takes me, leaving my bones in the grave, no matter. My bones are still sparkling.) ANOTHER THING: Please make sure the glitter is PRETTY and GIRLY. I would like to think someone is using rose and purple and gold and silver glitter!
6. I want people to have the opportunity to tell funny stories and serious stories. No judgment.
7. I want people to pray for my family--especially my husband, Stephen, and my daughter, Psalm. I want people to commit to loving my family--especially Psalm, assuring her of the Goodness of God and His Plan for my life and for hers. I need Covenant Church people to commit to interceding for them, and especially for Psalm. My step-daughters, Allie and Raylee, feel things very deeply. Please pray for them, too.
8. I would like there to be a worship service. Where people can stand. ALSO: Songs that mean a lot to me that I would love to include in the Homegoing Celebration: "The Blood will Never Lose its Power"; "I've Just Seen Jesus" (you can play the video of Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris).
9. I want my family and friends to have preferred seating. (The Williams Family--Keith, Cathy, Aaron, and Josh--and Dana Dinsmore Davis, Paula Reif, Norma Hall, Wanda Harris, Bill/Judy/Megan Day and Roz Newby are my FAMILY. They need to sit with my biological family). My Covenant Church Family and my CASC Family, should all have preferred seating but EVERYONE should know that I love them and GREATLY APPRECIATE THEM.
10. I would love for people to hug each other on the way out and say, "You are Special" and "God Loves You," OR "God made you Special and He Loves you VERY MUCH" (from Veggie Tales) to one another as they leave.
I mean, who really wants to spend time thinking about such things? Me, either. So...on to LIFE and LIVING!
I am thankful for this opportunity! Every day is a BLESSING!
