I know this photo is tiny and hard to see, but it’s the best I’ve got of this little gem. I love that John Baptiste is smiling!
John A Jerrain is his son. The son he would live with the last few years of his life. The very son whose home would be the place John Baptiste passed from this life.
They look like they got along, don’t they?
I hope it’s a happy Thursday for you! Today will be a bit sad for me. I’m playing the organ at a funeral for a sweet friend. I just went through this exact same experience two weeks ago with a different friend. Funerals are sad. Thankfully, my friend lived a long and wonderful life. I hope her family will feel some comfort, peace, and healing tomorrow. I’m thankful I can offer one last act of loving service by playing some comforting hymns. xoxo
Condolences for your friend. It is wonderful that you are able to give the gift of music to her family. May her name and memory be a blessing.
Thank you, Ellen. It was such a privilege to play for her service. She was born in the same town in Norway as Edvard Grieg. When I asked if they had any requests for prelude and postlude and they said, “Well, anything by Grieg or… (hymns).” I tried so hard to find an organ piece by Grieg but he just didn’t compose organ pieces. So finally I found a simplified version of Morning Song that I could adapt and played that as they moved her casket out as my nod to her heritage. It was very meaningful for her husband and family and I was so glad that I could do that for them. Sadly, I played for another funeral just four days later. We’ve had 5 deaths in our little community in the last 8 weeks or so.
Yes, they do seem happy together. Nice to have evidence along those lines.
I’m glad you are able to provide such a nice service for your recently departed friends, despite your sorrow.
Thank you, Eilene. It really was such a privilege to be able to play for the funeral. I ended up playing for another one just four days later. It was a rough few weeks in our little community – 5 deaths. All unexpected.
I am so sorry about your friends. I hope they were much, much older than you.
What is written in the upper left corner of the photo?
Thank you, Amy. One was just 59 and the other 72. Sadly, I played the organ just four days later for another funeral. It has been a rough 8-ish weeks in our little community – 5 deaths, all unexpected in their own way.
I don’t know what is written in the corner. I tried to manipulate it and can’t get it perfectly clear. I can make out this much – “taken ? day ? left Margaret (I think)”. I need to work on it some more…
Lovely photo. Terrible to lose two friends so close together. I’m sure the gift of music will help your healing, and their families’.
Thank you, Su. Sadly, I played the funeral again four days later. We’ve had 5 deaths in our little community in the last 8-ish weeks or so. Sad. All unexpected (sort of).
I’m so sorry to hear that Amberly. Reading the other comments, and seeing that one of the dead was a you g man I realise just how incredibly hard this must be for you. Thinking of you.
Thank you, Su. Yes, two were young men, one was a baby, and two were women – 59 and 72 years in age. It’s been rough. We humans sometimes think we can just keep moving but then are surprised when we get stuck in grief, fatigue, etc. I’ve been trying to be patient with myself. Here’s hoping for a healthy few months for everyone around me! I don’t think I can take another death anytime soon.
That is so very sad, and tough on your community. Sending you hugs and best wishes.
Thank you, Su. ❤️
That is a beautiful song and sounds perfect. It is so difficult when there are multiple deaths. Life seems suspended for awhile.
Thank you. Yes, suspended is a perfect word for how I’ve been feeling. That last funeral kind of pushed me over the edge a bit. It was so incredibly sad – a 26-year-old young man. They don’t know how he died but he had a rough life – it was heart-wrenching.
That is not really a like, more a confirmation of your words. When ever a young person dies it is so much more painful. An ache to the heart. So much different when someone has lived a long life and you are said for missing them but not because their life was cut short.
Yes, exactly. Thank you, Ellen. ❤️
I am so sorry about yet another loss you’ve suffered. 2018 has been a tough year for you. I hope 2019 is better.
Thank you, Amy. I hope so too. It has just been one loss after another. Thankfully, there were also lots of bright spots too. And lots! of genealogy discoveries. ❤️