Jeanette Allard Hastings
February 2, 1919 - October 27, 2002

Abigail Hastings Tribute

Call to Worship - JAH Memorial 11.9.02

There is vesper sparrow
    that sings at eventide
    it saves its song for close day
        and ushers us into the night

Its serenade is ourmother's voice
    singing to us still
    even now she is here to welcome us
        to faith's sanctuary, this her second home

She would want to know
        if you have all you need -
    She would want to know
        about your children, your parents

Your plans for the holidays
    and if you are traveling
    how you pack your suitcase

And while you are gone
    who will water your plants
and if you have African violets
do you water them from the saucer
    to protect their tender leaves ...

And if your legs are short like hers
    she'll bring you the covered footstool
And if it's a little hard to sit still
    she'll sit beside you and draw your hand
Or if you ran around the backyard too long
    you can rest your head in her waiting lap.

She knows we are aboutlife's hard work
    in our gathering here today
She knows the sadness of letting go
    and what a small hole in the heart feels like

Even so, she would remind us in
    whispered assurances
that the Comforter will come
that we will, in time, know the peace
    that passes all present understanding
And that as she did throughout her life,
She would make even of this hard moment,
     a gift, wrapped in a ribbon of faith

And tell us that though this day
    may be over
    and night is drawing nigh
Sweet darkness will enfold us
Bright stars above will guide us
And soon dawn will break again
    with a morning sparrow's new song.

            - Abigail Hastings

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