I collect ladies handkerchiefs. I collect them to give away. I love to give a beautiful hankie to a bride or to a young woman who maybe doesn't own a hankie. HC had tons of handkerchiefs. Not to give away but to keep in a drawer forever! I decided to wash and iron a handkerchief for my daughters and granddaughters and son, son-in-law, grandsons, and all the men participating in the service. It took me a while but I got it done, got myself ready, and left home for the church. Time had gotten away from me so when we pulled up to the church doors, Joyce was waiting for all of us to get this show on the road. HC would be proved right as I was nearly late to his funeral!
We had a short meeting so every one would know what was to happen. I gave away all my handkerchiefs and still often hear from the participants how much they love having and HC Baker handkerchief.
It's time. Grace, who was the keeper of the ashes, led the way and we all followed. Big crowd and I was still seeing friends I had not seen in some time. I saw their faces as I walked down the aisle. We were all smiling but our eyes were shiny with tears. Our hearts were sad.
I remember every second of the service but I'll share just of few of my special moments.
The men who spoke - They were all such special friends of HC's. They loved each other.
Mike, his favorite cousin (and his only cousin) struggling for control.
Daniel, our oldest grandson - so proud of him.
TR Baker - this was hard. He was in such pain yet shared "old" pain and regret thinking his Dad didn't realize he loved him. No so but that's where TR was at that moment. He was so brave.
Listening to Keith Powell and Mary Shearer (my sister) filling the church with their beautiful voices singing special songs.
Congregational singing of "It is Well with my Soul" - This was HC Baker's favorite hymn, one that he held in his heart all through his illness and told everyone if he died...It is well with my soul. Prior to singing this hymn, Tim Galyon recalled the afternoon in HC's hospital room at Baptist East waiting for the med-evac plane to transport us to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. What a difficult day that was. HC was the one who led the prayer and told everyone assembled there (a large crowd for a hospital room) it was well with his soul. Tim and I both met each others eyes and had our own struggle.
It's over! Time to leave and enjoy an HC Baker Pizza Lunch. Again, I wanted to make sure I greeted each guest so I walked out of the sanctuary behind Grace and Gran's ashes but returned to touch more hands. So many friends. Joyce took me by the arm and led me downstairs to the party! And that it was. So much food. I finally asked Jim Ryan to find Mark from Clifton Pizza and bring him to me. Next thing I knew, Mark was standing in front of me. "Thank you" does not even come close to telling him what he meant to HC Baker. We had a few words and a hug, so many hugs. I have no idea how many people were there but I do know it was A LOT! One regret I have is I didn't go into the kitchen to thank those who were working so hard to keep the buffet tables full. I'm sorry for that. And a very special place in my heart that day was for my dear friend Madeline Greib. In the past 24 hours my sister Linda had become so ill and in such pain, she was admitted to the hospital. I had called Madeline and told her (to all of her friends, Madeline is the boss of Baptist East Hospital). Madeline went to Linda's room that morning and sat with her during the time of the memorial service. I love you Madeline. Another person deserving a special thank you was Amy Torstrick (she's married and I don't know her married name but she is the daughter of good friends at church and I watched Amy grow up). Amy and her Mother became the child-care workers during the service. It wasn't planned but it happened because they saw a need. These are the kind of friends HC and I are blessed with. Totally Blessed.
I have no idea what time I got home that afternoon. What I do know is even with a house full of people, it was very quiet. I had thought how wonderful it would be to take a nap - sleep had been absent from my life for some days. I tried and tried but mind was back on the ferris wheel. What happens next?
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