Look for Me in Rainbows

Sunset, December 14, 2021

I was one very small cog in a big wheel last week as a community said goodbye to one of its own. Serena was only 21 years old. But she lived a big life in a short time. 

Serena and her family have ties to many parts of our rural community. Her college days and extensive involvement extended her reach and her impact far beyond her home. 

Two volunteers from the Christian Church organized the dinner after the funeral. However, one of them said that almost every church in Stafford had contributed a dish or two for the dinner or had helped set up for the meal. I arranged for the 11 salads needed for the meal from our church, which blossomed into far more. Two people brought additional salads and most made at least double recipes of the dishes they contributed. The Rec Center opened its doors for the dinner to be served in its gym.

It wasn't hard to find people to say, "Yes!" when asked to contribute. We are blessed to live in a community that puts hands and feet to work as we love our neighbors as Christ commanded us. We served around 110 people. We could have served more, had there been more tables and chairs.

Over and over, Serena was described as a "bright light." Her go-get-it attitude and her ready smile were outward examples of that light. That description made me think of a favorite Bible verse, Matthew 5:15-16:

¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Randy and I got home from helping to clean up and deliver salad bowls to their rightful owners as the sun was beginning to set. After we carried things in the house, we went back out to look at the evening sky yet again. 

As we watched that spectacular sunset on the evening after Serena’s funeral, I thought  again of the poem the family had chosen for Serena's service bulletin:

  Look for Me in Rainbows

Music and lyrics: Conn Bernard (1990). Vicki Brown 

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.
In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.

It won't be forever, the day will come and then
My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.
Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.
Every waking moment, and all your whole life through
Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Just wish me to be near you,
And I'll be there with you.

It's the perfect imagery for a girl from the heartland of Kansas. And it's a reminder for the rest of us, too, especially during a week packed with extras and pressure for the "perfect" holiday celebration. What's really important in the long run? Is it another kind of cookies ... or slowing down and enjoying the time with family and friends?

The answer is likely in the rainbows and the sunrises and the sunsets.