SAD DAY FOR ME?

     I was called to Moore-Few Nursing facility on late Tuesday afternoon because one of our members, Marj Olson, was in critical condition and not expected to live very long.  Her sister, Virginia Price, shared a room with her.  When I entered the room Mrs. Price was on one side of the bed and another resident was on the other side.  Marj was in distress but alert enough to speak.
     Even though she was in discomfort, she still responded with "Oh, Bill" because we had been buddies for years.  I have walked with her through many valleys such as the time she almost died of a heart attack and the time when she lost her husband, Gene.  She still had the same smile and twisted sort of humor that I loved.  We always teased each other unmercifully.  I would try to catch her off guard; she would do the same with me.
     After some conversation about her readiness to leave Planet Earth, I asked if she wanted prayer and she reached out both arms and we held hands.  Then I led in prayer, the Lord's prayer, and then annointed her with oil.  When I finished, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," her sister began quoting Psalm 23.  She got most all of it by memory!
     About the time I left the room, she called back to me for one last "teasing" comment.  I knew she would not last long and I thought of her humor but also her love for our FBC family.  Although Marj didn'thave a lot of resources, she came to church back in the early 1990s and gave a testimony about her commitment to the new church campus and gave $1,000.  In the grand scheme of things (3 million dollar project), that didn't represent a major donation.  But it was major to her and her courage cost her at least one friend who was opposed.  Maybe more.
      The next day I heard that she went to be with our Lord in the night and I kept waiting to hear some news about the memorial service plans.  Today I found out.  There are none.  It was a direct burial.  Her request.  That rat!  She wouldn't let me have an opportunity to celebrate her life and tell one last story or humorous tidbit about her.  She got in the the last tease.  On the way out the door.  And no one will get to hear  me expound.  Darn, Marj!  You got me again.