Tears and Laughter

Friday, October 15, 2010

Today, I attended the funeral of a 34-year-old, Brian who was killed in a car accident. I knew his folks well from my days in Lower Brule where they helped out so generously with everything in the parish. When words can’t heal the heart of a parent who has to bury their child, sometimes all we can do is be there, offering a handshake or a hug.

Brian’s dad’s cousin is a priest, so Fr. Mike led the services. I know from experience that it’s hard emotionally to do a family funeral, but it means so much. Fr. Mike’s words expressed what his relatives were feeling from a very personal level. He could also tell a few family stories that helped people laugh and remember, which stirred more sharing and stories at the meal afterwards.

In the evening I stopped by the Rec Center to work on some of the exercises prescribed by my physical therapist. The Ambrose (1st – 3rd grade boys) and Afra (1st  – 3rd grade girls) homes had a free evening in the gym, and I stopped to join them. We shot a few baskets and tossed a football back and forth. I made the kids laugh at my feeble attempts at keeping a hula hoop going. My sisters were pretty good at that, but I could never master it.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

3 thoughts on “Tears and Laughter”

  1. LORD, I LIFT THIS FAMILY UNTO YOU IN THEIR TIME OF SARROW. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL. FR. STEVE I KNOW IT HURTS AMEN NEVEN

  2. And here’s Neven, the man of beautiful and considerate thoughts !
    Father Steve…you make the right friends..!
    Mia and Bob

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