A Funeral~

Last Friday, our family attended the Funeral Service of a dear and old family friend, Ken Brimlow. He had known our family before it had become a family. Mama from childhood and Daddy since he was a young man. He loved and treated us like his family.

I remember, when I was younger, visiting his house. It was the paradise of any child. An old family home, with a large living room, homey kitchen and there was always something to eat, from fruit to ice cream, no matter how late or early, and an upstairs to roam around and explore! Just outside, on the righthand side of the house was a trampoline, behind it, an old barn and around that was the coolest and neatest backyard there ever was! See, the backyard was filled with fruit trees, which Mr. Brimlow always graciously allowed us to eat as much as we wanted off of them, provided we didn't waste. He would take us around and show us the different trees, bushes and plants, and explain how and what they produced and just how to eat them. There was always something under the leaf he pulled back! Whether it was grapes, figs, or persimmons,there was something, and it was delicous But....the Fig tree was the best, because inside of it was a good old wooden tree house! It was made of planks of wood stretched over the long limbs of the magnificent fig tree. There was even a few chairs in the tree! Someone had cleverly set one in a spot where the limbs were crowded together, so it could hold weight and not fall! Here I, along with my siblings, and few good old friends played for the afternoon!

Later, we would all asemble into the living room, where Mr. Brimlow would read and tell us a Bible story. After that He was always seated at the piano, drumming loudly his favorite hymns! As a little girl, I remember satnding at his side and singing and watching in awe as he played! No one every played like he did and know one ever will, it was Mr. Brimlow's style!

The service was very encouraging and the gospel was shared, as Mr. Brimlow(or as we called him, "Papa Brimlow") would have wanted. Uncle Daniel, his son shared about his father's amazing example and inspiring life. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and had accepted him as his Savior when we was young. He loved to talk about "His Lord" and share the gospel with whoever he met. He, "was not ashamed of the gospel." Where ever he was he encouraged belivers, led people to Christ and spoke of the love of the Lord.

The service......

Uncle Daniel, sharing about his father's life.....

Mr. Osborn, another old friend, giving the gospel, and sharing about Mr. Brimlow's life...

Uncle Joe, his son in law, singing. He and I used to stand by the piano and sing while Mr. Brimlow, also sang and accompianed us.

After the luncheon, we were all invited, as always to the Brimlow family home. We had a wonderful evening of fellowship and recalling memories. Things were different, with Mr. Brimlow absent, but yet there was still that same warm love that he had given to others, being carried on by his children.

Of course, I headed for the backyard to see the old treehouse. It was still there, but it was old and run down. No one had played in it for sometime, but it was still the coolest and greatest to me. Several of us,(His grandkids and our family)enjoyed the fruit still growing.

Later, when dinner was over, about the time Mr. Brimlow would have sat down to play his piano and sing, Uncle Joe came and putting his arm around me said."You know, that piano looks awfully lonely in the corner all by itself." I smiled and replied,"You want me to play it." At first I didn't, but later, I found myself heading over to the piano, and within a few minutes later, Uncle Joe was at my side singing, just like before, and although he was not there, I could almost imagine Mr. Brimlow singing with us, in Glory!!

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (KJV)

Revelation 5:9