Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 23, 2023

What a whirlwind of activity surrounded the death of my mother this past Monday. The official obituary and announcement of her upcoming funeral went live just yesterday. She died peacefully in her sleep sometime early Monday and by the evening she was whisked away to the local funeral home to await her funeral and burial next Thursday as an Orthodox Christian.

Just yesterday my father and I finalized plans with the funeral home, and the director gave us the best gift: allowing us to visit with mom! She was not yet arrayed in the splendor of her maternal office, but a warm and colorful quilt was draped over her. Mom was a classy lady, so I am sure she will look smart for the funeral next Thursday. But for this more intimate visitation, I cannot think of an object more fitting for this domestic queen who lay in state before us.

For this quilt was not unlike countless quilts and afghans that this mother had knitted, sown, or crocheted with her own hands. Whenever she heard of a new child on the way, her fingers would go to work making a one-of-a-kind masterpiece for family, friends, and even a few enemies. We sang our hearts out for this matriarch. My two eldest daughters chanted a whole kathisma of Psalms and then the best bits from the Pannikhida service for the dead. The joyful sorrow of their lilting crescendos transport the faithful to life beyond the grave. The kontakion and ikos of the 6th Ode of this funeral service destroys any shred of earthly vanity that remains in the hearts of those who attend. In fact, it was the very same melody they sang at the departing of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6PswgH-YbeU%3Fsi%3D5kJdiJ5LhdWSn1fF

With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant, //
where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.

Ikos: Thou alone art immortal, /
Who didst create and fashion man; /
but we mortals were formed of earth, and unto earth shall we return, /
as Thou who madest me didst command and say unto me: /
For earth thou art and unto earth shalt thou return, /
whither all we mortals are going, /
making as a funeral dirge the song: //
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

On this day of giving thanks, I am profoundly grateful to be born of this handmaiden of God, Vickie (Elizabeth) Lee Friar. She has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Now may the Lord of Righteousness grant her the reward for her faithful labors. May her memory be eternal!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=H-FdhLoFgkc%3Fsi%3DHriCGk0mEoaNXX1H