Today we attended the “green” funeral of an old and dear friend of ours, Ingrid Wendt, near San Marcos, Texas. We have known Ingrid and her husband, Klaus, for 30 years, but have not seen them for at least 20. The look on Klaus’s face when we arrived was worth getting up at 3:30 am to make the 5 hour drive to attend the 10 am funeral. Klaus was sitting on the porch when we drove up and once he realized it was his two very old friends, he jumped up from his chair and called out, “It’s Len and Ray!” As we hugged each other hello, those 20 years of separation evaporated in seconds and there we all were – dear friends who could have seen each other just last week.
The funeral was out on their five acres of land – they had gotten permission from all the authorities necessary – and we all stood in a lovely wooded area shaded by Ingrid’s favorite tree. Klaus and Chela, his daughter, spoke of their love of Ingrid and also of the transformative experience her dying had brought into their lives via the hundreds of well-wishers across the world. (Ingrid and Klaus are German.)
One woman sang a song she had written entitled “Pioneers in the Universe,” and we all then filed by the coffin and tossed in roses and other flowers provided by Chela and Klaus. After the coffin was lowered, then we all added handfuls of dirt to toss into the hole, as well. The coffin was wicker and biodegradable – exactly right for returning Ingrid’s body to dust.
I have so much I could write about this, but I am so tired right now that I am falling asleep and then inadvertently waking up with a jerk.
So for tonight, suffice it to say, that today was a sad day, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
May light perpetual shine upon my friend, Ingrid, and may white light surround Chela and Klaus.
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