IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS
It was well after midnight when I answered the phone, and then the call to service for a family in Provo. Though latenight calls are disruptive to sleep, they are appreciated, because it means someone has acknowledged my efforts to serve in their time of need and has placed their trust in me and my staff to provide care for them and their deceased loved one.
I dressed quickly. People have said, “no one expects you to put on nice clothes to go on a first call in the middle of the night.”
While that might be the case, everyone appreciates the respect it conveys. I believe caring for the dead is a reverent and uplifting activity, and how I dress to do it demonstrates my concern and commitment to doing it well.
Someone wrote, “…If you want to know the strength of a community, look at their cemetery…” That same theory compels me to dress nicely, even when going out when most are sleeping.
I arrived at the home of the deceased and visited with the family members there. After I gathered a little information about the deceased, I realized I had a personal connection with her. She had rented my grandparent’s home in a distant town, while they were serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I don’t recall what brought her to my hometown when I was a young girl, but I do remember how much my grandparents spoke of her and how much they thought of her. This woman, about my mother’s age, became an important element in my own moral fabric, as I established my own life’s values. Long after my grandparents returned from their mission, and she moved out of their house and lived in another in the town, she continued to influence me. I associated with her children at school and in recreational activities, as well as at church. She and her family were among those who lived their beliefs.
She and her family were open and welcoming. While I spent time in their house, I learned that her sugar cookies were the best. It wasn’t like there were always treats there, but I associate her with her sugar cookies.
In fact, every Christmas season, when my family and I plan a “12 days of Christmas” treat campaign to some neighborhood families, I mix up a large batch of her sugar cookie dough and place it in the fridge to cure for a few days, then share the wonderful morsels with family and friends. It is the perfect recipe, and the cookies are nearly foolproof. They are soft, moist and sweet. Perfect with cream cheese and powdered sugar frosting, and best when decorated by grandchildren.
Visiting with this family, I was amazed to learn that they had only lived in my community for seven years. Because of their impact in my life, I thought it had been 17. Once again, I was impressed by them.
They were gracious, kind and appreciative. I was grateful that our paths had once again crossed, and I had the opportunity to show my own appreciation and love for their service to me so many years ago.
As we arranged and carried out her disposition plans, my life was again blessed by their association. As is often the case, I hope our service to those who call us for funeral service is half as meaningful to them as it is to me personally.
When I receive those challenging, yet welcome, late-night calls, I often find myself wishing I had one of those sugar cookies to munch on while I drive to my new family’s house.