Saturday, March 12, 2016

The day of the Funeral




The day of the Funeral

 (An excerpt from my novel ; "I just want to be loved")

Upon their arrival at the orphanage, they recognized that were some other children from their school too. As some of their parents had been involved in the accident and were also injured in the explosion. The unfortunate thing for the Maxwell children was, that both their parents worked at the factory and unfortunately, both were killed. As the week progressed, funeral arrangements were being made for those who had died. It was going to be a sad week in the city of Glasgow.

During the week prior to the funeral, the children had been contacted as to any church affiliation that their parents may have had. The social work department tried very hard to contact relatives of the Maxwell family. Apparently, there were no next of kin in the Glasgow area at all. Social workers tried friends and neighbours of the Maxwell family, but their efforts were to no avail. It was found, that the Maxwell family had regularly attended a small Nazarene church in the area. The pastor was acquainted with the Maxwell family and knew them very well, and agreed to conduct the funeral.

It was the day of the funeral and because of the extent of the injuries to the children’s mum, and dad and for the sake of not enduring the children to a more traumatic event, it was decided that the coffins should remain closed and no viewing would be allowed. On the day of the funeral, the coffins were draped with beautiful flowers and the song “Abide with Me” was playing softly in the background. There were many friends in attendance and many people also from within the community. People who didn’t even know the Maxwell’s were there to offer their support for the children. As the music softly played, the children were led to their seats at the front of the church.

 As soon as the children saw the coffins Sheila ran over to the coffins and shouted, “Mummy, daddy, please come back, please don’t go away.” As she knelt at the coffins, Sheila had one of her dolls with her. She reached up to her mum’s coffin and placed it on top, “This doll is for you mummy, remember I kept washing and brushing it’s hair in the mornings, and you said it was a silly doll. Well, I knew it was going to be your birthday soon and I wanted to give it to you as a birthday gift. That’s why I kept it clean and brushed it’s hair every day, I will give it to you now mummy and you can celebrate your birthday in heaven. This will keep you company so you don’t feel lonely.” Henry and Jimmy went over and put their arms around her. Everyone attending the service left them alone. The children were kneeling at the coffins and firmly holding each other and crying. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church. Everyone in the church was crying with the children including the pastor.

They let the children have their time of mourning for about five minutes. No one was in a rush. They wanted this to be the children’s day, a day where they could remember their mum and dad. As they were kneeling together, the pastor’s wife went forward and put her arms around them. As she was kneeling with them, she said a little prayer. More people moved forward and joined in the prayer. It was like no other funeral that anyone had ever attended. The pastor’s wife, along with some other women of the church, helped the children to their feet and escorted them to their seats. As they sat sobbing, the pastor started the service, stretching his hands out towards the children, he said, “Jesus loves you this I know for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong they are weak, but He is strong.” As he continued, he spoke of the Maxwell’s and their lives as parents. Sobs could be heard throughout the church. It was the most moving funeral service that anyone had ever experienced.

The service was over and it was now time for the interment.  The children were shaking and nervous, but were led into a car where they would be taken to the cemetery. Everyone who was at the church came to the cemetery. The cemetery was just packed with people. The coffins were lowered one by one. The dad’s coffin was lowered first and the mum’s coffin was placed on top, as was the custom in Glasgow. As the coffins were being lowered, the children were crying and screaming. “No mummy, no daddy, please don’t go, please don’t leave me.” The children had to be restrained from going too close to the grave just in case they fell in. They were quite hysterical. Everyone around the grave was crying. It was so sad listening to the pleas of the children for their mum and dad. It was now time to leave. The church had arranged to hold a reception of tea and scones for those who had attended the funeral. The children were seated with the pastor and his wife, and during this time people were coming up to the children offering their condolences and sympathy. Everyone had a kind word of encouragement for all the children. As would be expected, there were lots of hugs, kisses and tears.



Written by Chris Turner
(Taken from the novel: "I just want to be loved')
Available as an e-book from  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/607598

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