The Three Sisters

Sometimes being there for someone takes on a whole new meaning. The reason I say this is because of three elderly sisters I knew in my hometown. They were the matriarchs of the community, well-known and respected by everyone that knew them.

One of the traits they were known for was their kindness and concern for others. One of the ways they portrayed this was very special. They would go to the funeral home in town, and pay their respects whether they knew the deceased or not. It was something they had done for many years.

Upon being asked why they did this, they would always smile, nod to each other and reply.

“Everyone needs to be shown respect and remembered. Whether we knew the deceased or not we would go. We would try to comfort their families.”

I never understood the ramifications of them doing this until their own funerals. I watched them attend the showings of hundreds of people. From the upper crust of society to the town drunk they attended. Many times they didn’t know the deceased. They went anyway. On more than one occasion they were the only ones to attend. The funeral home director would usher them to the casket, introduce them and then excuse himself. They would offer their condolences and leave.

They embraced the phrase “What Would Jesus Do” and lived it to the extreme. They knew the families needed comforting and did their best to comply.

As each of the sisters passed on to their eternal reward, their memory was honored in a similar way. The funeral home would be packed for the showing. Strangers would be there in overwhelming numbers to pay their respects. When asked who they were or why they were there by the family members, they all had the same answer.

“Your mother came to my mother’s showing. We didn’t know who she was or why she was there. She expressed her condolences and said she would pray for us. We never forgot it and that is why we are here.”

All of the answers were similar, whether for a parent, sibling, or relative, the answer was always the same. They were there because of what the sisters had done. One reply they got the most was also the most precious.

“We saw God’s love in your mother. We have come to honor and remember a fine Christian lady.”

I watched the families silently nod with tears in their eyes. That is how I remember the sisters. That’s how they should be remembered. Remembered for showing God’s love when it was needed the most.

I can’t help but believe that when Jesus met them at the Pearl Gate he said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, well done.”

November 25, 2020