RNF: Three Pics, Paying Respect, & Restored Faith In Humanity.

RNF: Three Pics, Paying Respect, & Restored Faith In Humanity.

I will get the least important part out of the way first.

Proved to be the behind the scenes chorus camera/lens I have been pursuing for years. This caused me to invest a little more into this system, but more on that later. On to the topic at hand.

First is the occasion. Our chorus was asked to minister in song at the funeral of a long time chorus member and friend’s wife. A great woman. A great man. A great family. Of course.

Second were the three captures before the service. We arrived early for the sound check. In the lobby before we went in,…

…during the sound check,…

…and as we went in to take our seats before the service started.

I then put my camera away as I did at the last funeral we attended. Now to the main point of this post.

Restored faith in humanity.

Preface:

My Father’s passing a few years ago permanently altered me. I had experienced loss before but never before where it struck at the very foundation of who I was and how I operated. I will not go into it further, but the impact was immeasurable. This was a few years ago, but it still sits near the surface.

That being said I had thought I had become skilled at putting forward an air of normalcy. If yesterday is any indicator I have not. First came Marlon, the director.

After we greeted the family and expressed our condolences we went to our seats. Before sitting down Marlon leaned over and showed concern for me given my loss. I was surprised that I was not covering as well as I thought I was. I was not surprised that he was checking on me. This chorus has served as a support group as much as it has served as a musical outlet for me. I thanked him and expressed the same for him. It was not that long since he lost his pillar, his Mother.

Moved on. We served by singing a song. All were kind and supportive in return. I then went home.

As I sat with my wife as we were binging true crime shows my phone rang. It was Don. Whose wife’s funeral I had attended.

We exchanged pleasantries and he said he noticed that despite my best efforts he felt that I was struggling…

What a great man.

I thanked him profusely and shared that him checking on me, given what he is enduring, meant more than I could put into words.

…what a great man.

I knew this. But this was next level.

Going forward.

When the world shows its worst I want to remember this. I want to give Don, Marlon, the chorus, the family and friends of every race, color, creed, and age and their endless stream of wonderful stories shared honoring the memory of Elaine my attention.

Elaine’s daughter spoke of trusting that her Mother’s voice will continue to speak to her. The minister that brought forth the eulogy doubled down and instructed us all to listen for Elaine’s voice. To seek to make each of us better.

I want to give them weight, not the foolishness that the world tries to shove down my throat through media outlets selling shock value, hate, and fear in exchange for clicks and views.

There are awful people. Yes, there are those trying to drag us back into the stone ages. Yes, there are those looking to forcefully impose their biases and bigotry upon others. But…

I am a witness that there are wonderful people in this world also.

I am a witness that there are many good people driven by love and care for one another, not bias and bigotry.

I will endeavor to focus on the former, not the latter.

I will seek to link arms with the former in order to rise above the latter.

They have restored my faith in humanity.

-ELW