For Whom the Bell Tolls...

John Donne

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

I participated in my fourth funeral of the year today. In this case, I was the minister. The deceased was the 89 mother of friends who belonged to my congregation back in ministry days. Now days funerals have changed a great deal. The service itself was preceded by a vhs 113 picture video broadcast over two tv sets and projected on a screen in the front of the chapel. I shared the stage with Bette Midler, who sang "Wind Beneath my Wings" (The song is from the movie Beaches I think. It's probably a copy right violation to play the recording in public without compensating someone.) A funeral on the second last day of the year is not a bad exit to 2005. Time continues to go by and our lives are in the hands of God. As a reminder that we are still in the world, however, the reception was held in a Western bar, set up for tomorrow night. It was replete with a poll, ready for dancing... Draw your own conclusions. Share them if you wish.