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The funeral home chapel was unoccupied except for the attendants employed by the funeral home. The funeral was less than two hours away. A body lay in the opened casket. The body was that of an 84-year-old man. The upcoming funeral was part of the man's wishes in his will. It was a funeral that had a Pastor speaking that never knew the man. It was beginning to look as though it would be a funeral with no family nor friend attendees.
Mr. Glen Patterson had outlived his wife, his neighbors, friends, close relatives, and anyone else that had any inkling of who he was, much less what his life had been like. It would be an empty funeral. No church affiliations meant he was not a Christian. But the efforts of one policeman, Chuck Jenkins, who was well-connected with our Lord, was about to change everything.
Officer Jenkins, the neighborhood kids called him Officer Chuck, had patrolled this particular neighborhood of Mr. Patterson for many years. He made a point of checking on the older resident's welfare. Also, a point was made of having a good relationship with the neighborhood kids; the best source of info about activities and people for a policeman. I cannot stress enough that Officer Jenkins believed and loved above all else, God. His actions, thoughts, and goals were all God-inspired.
The Head Funeral Director, Mr. Swanson, made all his employees aware that there would most likely be no one at this funeral, but all respect and dignity would be observed for Mr. Patterson. So, when a few people began to file in an hour before the funeral, everyone was mildly shocked.
The scattering of people entering quickly became a flood. The employees were rushing to seat people. Mr. Swanson began ordering temporary seating to be added. Even that was short of the demand for seating. Eventually, the crowd, having filled the chapel, began to gather outside in the parking area. Mr. Swanson was not to be dismayed, he put seating in the parking area while asking people to move their cars. A sound system was set up outside. Nobody complained. All were polite and friendly. At one point, Mr. Swanson passed by a couple of his employees who looked at him and gave a quiet, "Yes! Mr. Patterson is going to have a grand send-off." Mr. Swanson stepped out of his usual formal demeanor replying, "Hallelujah!" with arms raised.
Pastor John Green squeezed through the crowd, making his way toward Mr. Swanson. He was greeted by a taken-aback Mr. Swanson who had recognized the world-renowned Pastor.
"Mr. Swanson, I'm Pastor John Green. I am here to give the eulogy for Mr. Patterson, today. I'm sorry about the short notice, but I was informed only yesterday about his passing."
On the stage, musicians were setting up their instruments as the employees' smiles became even larger - if that were possible. A local-favorite singer walked out on the stage grabbing a microphone and asked everyone to be seated. After a short wait, the musicians began playing. The singer began singing "Give Me Jesus."
After several songs, Pastor Green stepped onto the stage. Evidently, he had met Mr. Patterson on a mission trip many years ago. Officer Jenkins had an impressive intelligence operation in his church. A Godly and serving man was Mr. Patterson according to Mr. Green. The eulogy was filled with amazing facts about the man the neighborhood residents thought was just a good-hearted and kind man.
After Pastor Green had finished, the real show began. The neighborhood kids walked one-by-one to the stage to tell a story about their favorite neighbor, Mr. Glen Patterson. He was a missing Grandpa to some, a problem solver to some, a bicycle to repairman to others, the first-aid person, and on and on. one young man told of facing a sure-death sentence for playing in the mud in his good clothes, to the laughter of the crowd, and how Mr. Patterson washed his clothes so his mother would never know.
Officer Jenkins got his turn. "I was blessed to see so many of the kind things Mr. Patterson did for the children and adults, but it was the times he came upon him when he was red-eyed and down. This was a side he tried hard not to let others see. He missed his wife, Eleanor. He loved his wife of 60 years so dearly that her loss nearly crushed him. It took him away from the mainstream of society and church. I and others in our church sat many nights with him as he fought off depression and suicide. Not just her death, but losing his two daughters to a car accident in their youth, was destroying him as it would anyone. It took years to rebuild and restore Mr. Patterson's spirit. In the end, it was the neighborhood children who were the key to his revival. The Lord clearly was at work whenever the children would wave at him while he sat looking forlorn in his porch swing. The children sensed what he needed. They simply gave him comfort. I pulled into his driveway one afternoon to the sight of two little girls sitting one on each side of him. They were holding his hands telling him, 'it's going to be okay. God is always close to the brokenhearted.'"
Officer Jenkins' speech was interrupted many times due to his sobbing and that of the crowd. But this was a celebration of Mr. Patterson's life, so, there was laughter interspersed with the tears.
At the conclusion, Officer Jenkins announced the gift the Patterson family was giving to the neighborhood; a scholarship fund available to all those desiring it and a family-aid fund for any financially-struggling family. To top off the gift, the family set up a Christian mental health package.
Mr. Swanson grabbed the arm of Officer Jenkins. "Chuck, too many people die anonymously, unloved. I pray that we might find a way to do something like this for all those deceased without anyone to celebrate their life."
Officer Jenkins smiled and replied, "That's a great civic project. If you would be willing to serve, I'll gather some concerned citizens to serve with us to address this issue."
Mr. Swanson agreed. He also pulled out his checkbook. "This will be the first of many donations to this organization."
"Mr. Swanson,' Officer Jenkins talked with a pensive look and a smile, 'it's citizens and Christians like you that make or break these efforts. We need more of you."
Mr. Swanson smiled while patting Officer Jenkins on the back and saying, "And we need more Christians like you and Mr. Patterson. Let's go into my office and begin the formation of this new organization in a way that all such ventures such as this should be started - with prayer."
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