After the Celebration of Life(Martin Green) 2024Celeb (Approx. 400 wds.)

After the Celebration of Life


The Celebration of Life for his wife Sally, everyone told Paul Lerner, had gone well. It had been at their local church. Sally, like many residents of their retirement community, had been a member so Paul, although not himself religious, had considered it the appropriate place. Also, he knew and liked the pastor, Pastor G---.

Sally had sung in the retirement community’s choir for many years and about forty choir members had come and sung as people filed into the auditorium. Paul’s neighbor B---, had created a slideshow of pictures of Sally from photos that Paul had given her and that was shown on the big screen behind the stage. After the slideshow a picture of Sally remained on the screen. Paul tried not to look at it because he was afraid that if he did he’d start to cry.

Paul’s two sons each spoke, saying what a good mother Sally was. Then his two daughters-in-law each said how good Sally had been to them. Then some of Sally’s friends said a few words. Paul had decided not to speak because he knew he’d break down and start crying.

After this, Pastor Gene, who acted as kind of an emcee, talked about what a good and kind person Sally had been. Then he gave kind of a sermon which to Paul’s mind went on too long. But, Paul thought, he meant well.

After this, there was coffee and cake, the coffee provided by the church and the cake by Paul’s daughters-in-law, in the hall outside. Someone brought Paul coffee and a slice of cake. He was not hungry. Several chorus members came over and told Paul that everyone had loved Sally. They said that if there was anything they could do to let them know.

Now they were back in Paul’s house and Paul sat in his living room chair while a lot of activity swirled around him. One of his daughter-in-laws had brought some soup and the other some meat loaf, comfort food. They were clearing a lot of old stuff out of the refridgerator. His sons were taking out some old newspapers to the garbage can. From time to time someone asked Paul how he was doing and he said he was okay.

After what seemed like a long time they were leaving. The daughters-in-law each hugged him. His sons clasped him on his shoulder and said they’d be calling him. He said that was fine. At last the house was quiet, eerily quiet, he thought. He was alone. He’d never felt more alone. But now he could cry.

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