I wasn't sure if I would be able to post this, but I realized that I can't possibly ever post anything else without first posting this. In the early morning hours of Friday March 6th, our Lord wrapped His arms around my sweet sister Buffy, and took her home.
She fought cancer for the past year, and found peace surrounded by family.
When King David's infant child was stricken, David pleaded with God for the child's life. David refused to eat, and instead lay in sackcloth on the ground and wept, day after day:
"On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”
David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”
Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.
His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”
He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
2 Samuel 12:18-23
The local Abilene churches of Christ sent singers late Thursday evening, to send her off with the sounds of angels.
She passed from this life later that night.
Buffy asked to be buried on our family farm, and laid to rest in a simple and small, private ceremony consisting of just immediate family. In the early morning hours her soul found its way home, and just a few hours later that same morning, we brought her body home as well.
In a simple and Texas frontier-style way, we wrapped her body in a hand-made quilt MoMo had made for her, and rested her head on a pillow made out of the cotton PoPo had grown on the farm. We said a few words, covered her body in roses, and said good-bye, for now.
Her body was gently covered in the grave by hand, by her husband, her father, her brother, her brother-in-law and her nephews.
I have never seen a going-away ceremony so intimate and personal.
While the men gently covered the grave, the ladies went inside and prepared lunch. Afterwards, the family sat down to a memorial meal with a place setting reserved for Buffy, while we looked back on our memories of her, within view of the grave-site just outside the dining room windows.
We will go to her one day, but she cannot return to us.
In memory:
Layne,
ReplyDeleteYour sister and I have been friends since Laura was in kindergarten. We watched our kids grow up and also walked hand in hand through our teaching profession. We loved talking shop and sharing best practices and I aspired to be as good as she was in the classroom. She was an amazing educator who taught with her whole heart and soul and loved her students so deeply. She was definitely doing God's work. She lived her life this way as well. She loved her WHOLE family and talked about you many times. I loved hearing about your adventures in Alaska and of course she was willing to share pictures.
Buffy was like no other friend that I have had. Her spirit was gentle but with the strength of a mule. I loved hearing stories about her picking cotton when she was growing up or about the wild animals out at the farm. She also was full of grace and mercy when it came to people. For years I never heard her raise her voice until one day on the playground I could hear someone shouting to a student in a VERY loud voice, "GET OFF THE FENCE". I was so stunned to turn and see it was Buffy! (We had a good laugh over that one!)
I was so grateful for her friendship and when she and Darren moved I worried it would change things for us. Not so! She always let me know when they were in town and we made a point to see each other for a meal and an opportunity to catch up. Those times were very special to all of us (well definitely me).
I cannot thank you enough for sharing this personal glimpse into her last days. I know it was very hard for you to do this, but she had so many friends who will see this and have the chance to step back and give thanks for Buffy and the legacy that she has left behind and to celebrate the life that continues because of who she was. She will be missed terribly. My heart hurts thinking about not seeing her again on this earth, but there is great comfort in knowing that there will be a great reunion in heaven one day. I know she will be standing by and respond when she hears me shout....W I L S O N!!!!
Thank you again for sharing your sister. ~Shannon Cole
Thank you so much, Shannon. I know she treasured your friendship.
Delete-Layne
Layne,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this special, holy time with us. You are blessed with a family and heritage that are uncommon in today's world.
I'm glad we got to meet and visit a bit in Buffy's room. I have clarified some answers to your questions.
My grandfather, C.R. (Charlie Ritchett) Campbell was the builder of the house on the farm. One of his sons, D.L. (Dexter Levoy) was the architect. Another son, Truvis Campbell also helped with the building along with other uncles and cousins.
I hope maybe we will meet again one day.... maybe on the farm in Crosbyton.
Hugs and Blessings!
Liz, thanks for looking up the names, and for sitting and talking with us. I have always enjoyed hearing stories of how the Campbell cousins traveled in to Crosbyton to help PoPo build the farmhouse, now more than 75 years ago! Hope you get the chance to make it to the farm to visit. -Layne
DeleteThanks for sharing...our family farms go way back and hold a special place in all our hearts. Prayers and love to you and your entire family. Juli Ratheal
ReplyDeleteThanks, Juli.
DeleteThank you for sharing. What a beautiful and wonderful family she had. It will be glorious to see all our love ones again
ReplyDeleteThank you, Paige. -Layne
DeleteSorry for your lost..it was very Beautiful the way she was laid to rest Layne..God Bless U & The Family...
ReplyDeleteThank you. -Layne
DeletePrecious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
ReplyDeleteThank you. -Layne
DeleteLayne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Buffy was a precious and truly genuine soul. Praying for your family.
Much Love,
L’Rae
Thank you, L'Rae. -Layne
DeleteBeautiful. Lord be with us🌹
ReplyDeleteThank you. -Layne
DeleteLayne, thank you so much for this insight into the process of Buffy's burial - so special. I've loved your family so much for many years, starting with Arvis and Opal, Fern and Robert and Kitty Joyce and Charlie. Buffy and Misti and my son Scott were good friends, too. When I met Darren in Kenya that gave me another special connection. I also cherish my time teaching you in school and church. (You were one of the most intelligent students I've had in all my years of teaching!) All the stories I've heard about Buffy as a teacher and a Christian wife and mother have made me even prouder of her as a "grown-up"! I love you all and pray that we will all strive to live the kind of life she did. May God bless you all with those precious memories of Buffy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marilyn.
Delete