April 20, 2007
-
God Be At Mine End
One of my octogenarian friends, a dear friend’s mom, has been sick this week. Yesterday brought news that her body is shutting down and her time left is measured in days and hours. I drove out to see her, to tell her one last time that I loved her, and to say goodbye. She was awake and even told me about The Mapmaker’s Wife, the book she’s in the middle of reading.
I chose selected music of John Rutter’s Gloria CD to bathe me during the twenty minute car drive. The last four selections are superlative, beyond-the-beyonds-good. If you click on the link you can hear all but the last line of this lovely blending of words and music.
God Be In My Head
God be in my head and in my understanding.
God be in mine eyes and in my looking.
God be in my mouth and in my speaking.
God be in my heart and in my thinking.
God be at mine end and in my departing.from the Sarum Primer, 1545
Comments (4)
It is oh, so hard to say goodbye to those dearest to us, isn’t it? I was just talking w/ my dad yesterday ab/ certain things that he wanted at his funeral, and it made me cry on my drive home. I dread that time. I will pray for you and this friend.
The verse sounds similar to St Patrick’s Breastplate. We love Rutter here
Blessings on your friend and your weekend plans.
Dana in GA
This is a sadness, to compound others.
Sarah shared about a favorite accompanist friend of our family’s passing yesterday. Sarah said the choir will be singing for the service and she must accompany. Our Sarah has nerves of steel, but how one can serve in this capacity at a funeral for a friend and mentor is beyond me. Sarah said she would call Ken. Marilyn was his accomanist all his performance years.
This poem is but another confirmation of our indubitable familial relationship, deary…I chose this little poem for one of three my Composition classes are required to memorize (they are to choose 7 of their own liking.) In my children’s poetry book it is called Knight’s Prayer.
Maythe Comforter be with you, as you comfort others, Carol
Oh, Marilyn passed. It’s been a struggle for her, no? Sigh. I didn’t know her, but I do know how much she will be missed. I will look for the service time in the paper and pray for Sarah as she serves.