As I said, I will tell the story of my Mums's return to Snowdon as I write the chapters, and this chapter of the story is to tell you of the sad but yet joy filled service of thanksgiving for my dear Mum Sandra Margretta Jackson.
As always my Mum was thinking ahead, and she had written a letter years back giving clear instructions on where she wanted her thanksgiving service and who she wanted to do it, and had clearly written what hymns she wanted and readings from the Holy Bible!
I managed to have a read of the letter my Mum had written for the Vicar she wished to do the service, and the enthusiasm within the letter was heart warming for what would normally be a sad occasion. I will explain....
My Mum had been a life long Christian and a truly devoted follower of God and a tenderer to his flock. My Mum was committed to everyone before herself, and her selfless attitude will always be remembered by those who knew her well. My Mum wanted the service to be a joyous occasion because it was not the end for my Mum.....my Mum was going to be with her maker, and to reap the benefits of a life long service to God, and as my Mum stated several times in the letter, there were going to be hallelujah's a plenty.
My Mum had also written letters to my Dad, my Brother and myself and it was quite shocking how long ago she had originally written them and subsequently added to them. It made us realise just how many of my Mums later years were taken up thinking about her illnesses and thinking she did not have long left, which we always thought was an unnecessary worry as she had years left.
The one and only solace I myself had was the fact that as a Christian myself I knew my Mum was going to a better place and she was going to have the eternal peace and comfort she deserved so much. The opening words in my letter from my Mum will live with me forever, and she knew so well that I would get the message clearly. She wrote 'Dear Leslie, Don't be sad, you know Jesus will take care of me'.
The one thing I knew made my Mum proud was the fact I am a Christian and a believer and the following paragraph from her letter made it clear. She wrote ' I am so proud of you, you have become a strong, loving and caring man. I am so pleased you believe. If you keep Jesus at the centre of your life you will not go wrong, ask for his guidance in little and big things'.
It was just like my Mum to leave me with valuable loving advice that she knew would continue to serve me well throughout my life.
My Mums service and thanksgiving was no exception to this, and my Mum pretty much ensured the service was a happy, joyous and evangelical one. Mum carefully chose hymns with meaning and readings with relevance, and even made requests of the Vicar as to how she wanted the service to go.
My Mum had had several visits while in hospital from the Vicar who did her service and they had a close friendship and we as a family are very thankful for the love and support that Ann gave to my Mum, including being with her the night before she died and reading from the Bible for her. My Mum in her way made it known to the Vicar that she didn't have long left, so much so that Ann anointed her with oil and gave Mum her last rights.
The service itself was as my Mum requested a joyous one although sad and tearful at the same time. It wasn't so much an end but a new beginning and that made it so much easier and happier for a lot of us in the Church that day. The service was held in my Mum and Dad's Church and it was the one I went to as a boy also.
The congregation of family and fellow Church goers and even old work friends did my Mum proud whilst singing my Mums chosen hymns of 'How Great Thou Art' , 'Amazing Grace' and to close to raise the roof as my Mum requested 'Lord The Light Of Your Love Is Shining (Shine, Jesus, Shine)'.
The readings where Psalm 121 and John 14: verses 1-6 and 27.
Ann the Vicar presented the Tribute and brief recount of my Mum's life including a brief back story of her early years for those who only knew Mum in her later years, this was interlaced with funny stories of my Mum's often mischievous side and there were laughs a plenty as my Mum had wished.
There was also a poem at the end which was taken from a remembrance card titled 'All Is Well With Me', which was quite fitting.
The service was followed by the cremation at the crematorium where the Vicar said some final words and also read from Isaiah:35 at my request, which was a reading my Pastor read to me after my Mums death. The final verses are as follows: ....and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing: everlasting joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
We returned back to the Church to join those who had been at the service for refreshments and to say our thank you's to all that attended my Mums service. If was a joy to meet a lot of the people from my Mums church I had not met before, as they were all such nice people, many of which had supplied all the food and drinks for the refreshments at their own expense as a gesture on their part for the family.
There was cake a plenty to go round as well, and those that know me well will know the relevance of that one, I could of sat there all day trying to get through it all.
I would like to thank all my Mum and Dad's family who travelled from as far a field as Scotland, London, the Isle of Wight and indeed Wales to be with us on the day and gave support to my Dad and my brother and myself, and paid their final respects to my dear Mum.
Their very presence on the day brought much laughter, happiness and joy to a day that otherwise would of been a much bigger struggle for my Dad in particular. Seeing some of his Brothers and Sisters in particular brought great happiness to him in particular.
Thank you also to local friends who came to show support and to pay their respects. It was very much appreciated by all. God Bless you all.
