My seven-year-old daughter’s Catholic elementary school is attached to the church it is named after. For reasons I won’t address in this post, the school’s cafeteria is located in the basement of the church. Consequently, the students often have to modify their path to lunch on days when a funeral is taking place. However, given the tight quarters, regardless of the amended route, it is nearly impossible to escape hearing the choir sing funeral hymns and viewing glimpses of flower-strewn or flag-covered caskets.
Most parents are well aware of the minor exposure their children are subject to on days when noon funerals take place at the church. However, I didn’t realize how much my child was impacted by what she saw and heard until a few weeks ago when I caught her acoustic version of “On Eagles’ Wings” while walking past the bathroom during her nightly shower.
And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Later that night I complimented my daughter on her singing. I was especially impressed by her accuracy of the lyrics. Meanwhile, her high notes left a mark on the bathroom mirror, but I digress.
Shortly after I applauded her shower solo, she nonchalantly rattled off her entire funeral play list.
Yes, my seven-year-old has chosen all of the songs she wants sung at her funeral.
Granted, many perfectly healthy, not-so old individuals create mental notes when they hear a song they may want played at a celebration of their life, but my kid is seven.
Seven.
I don’t want my seven-year-old to tell me that the “Prayer of St. Francis” should be sung by a children’s choir during Communion at her funeral.
There isn’t a parent on this planet who would possibly find solace in knowing this type of information, whether that child is seven, 17, 27 or even 37.
Age is irrelevant.
No parent should outlive his or her child.
Food for thought on this Easter eve.
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