They say memories are golden,
well maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

Today was the perfect Houston day. An absolutely gorgeous 63 degrees with the brightest sunshine and crystal clear blue skies. It seemed the whole city was at the park. Paddle boats filled the lake, dogs running with their owners, small boys rolling down the hill at the outdoor theatre, ducks waddling along shore, the train chugging its way around the park with whistle blowing, and squealing, laughing, climbing children everywhere.

You never said I'm leaving
You never said goodbye
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knew why.

Eleven people in a circle, families walking by hushing children as parents realized a service was taking place. Prayers and scriptural readings somehow more alive and radiant in the sun and breeze. He always said life was better outside.

Reading One: An original poem by Bill Connelly “On the
Occasion of JM’s Funeral”

Stepped in the mysteries of not knowing,
I find my faith.
Lost in the fear of losing,
I find my courage.
Resolute in the ferocity of my determination,
I find my humility.
Alone in the isolation of my anger,
I find the strength of my community.
Weeping with the desperation of my fragility,
I find the hope and strength of tomorrow.
Firmly nestled in my resistance
I find that all these mines are yours, and
Graced in the beauty of forgiveness
I find the gifts of love in letting go.

Reading Two: One of Jim’s favorites read by Meg Scott:

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"
© Abbey of Gethsemani

Reading Three: An original poem written for today by Bill
Connelly

Burning down to cinders,
everything to dust
the dreams gone south,
rising above themselves
left to whispering good fortune
in the ears of tomorrow’s hopes.

It was as if I watched my
shadow’s promises curl up
in the heat of a consuming
passion of living and extinguish
themselves when the fuel was gone.

I often wonder what happens
to the energy of letting go.

In my disowning, a part of me unfurls,
unleashes havoc, turns me upside down
and yet invites my gifts to surrender to the light.

Will I forever be blessed
to court my passions, feed my wisdom,
look for truth, dance by the river
in the moonlight of love’s embrace.

As I fly from here and seek
a place to land, will I fertilize
the hopes of someone still and patient,
someone waiting for spring,
waiting for the flower’s promise
in the dawns of tomorrow,
to flourish beyond their expectations,
dream beyond themselves,
whose path is lit by service to something other.

In the rolling wheels and wind
rushing past their ears,
in the majestic beauty where the continent divides,
in the sweet blue sky promise of goodbye,
it is here that the worldly seeds go on
to paint the passing sunsets of my life,
in revelry of moment,
amidst memories released to time
that know enough of truth to come
back home for the long awaited kiss goodnight.


He had a natural reserved thoughtfulness yet an unquenchable joy for living; a sober, honest and spiritual man. And because there was no deception in him, his love and praise meant more than just about anything else. If he was a fan of yours, you never needed another one...
Offered by one friend in his note after the service


The spreading of the ashes, some around the trees, some around the bench, some tossed up to fly with the wind, it was love and life force set free. It was love, tears, smiles, hugs and hope. I rest in the assurance that life continues and that he is well. Indeed, that all is well.

…just remember in the winter
far beneath the winter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose.
The Rose by Bette Midler