THE GIRL ON THE PHONE

It's Sunday morning and I'm in the back seat of a van in Southern California. The girl on the phone is crying. She's inconsolable. The girl on the phone isn't a girl, she's a woman. But she'll always be my little girl. My daughter Courtney is talking to me on my cell phone. She is in Vietnam.

Me: Courtney your grandmother was a teacher, she would want you to continue on.

(Courtney is away at a semester at sea)

Courtney: I should be there. I'm the only grandchild who won't be there.

Me: You'll be there in spirit. Everyone understands.

Courtney: Did you get what I wrote?

Me: Yes, it's beautiful.

(she emailed me a eulogy for her grandmother)

Courtney: Will Trevor read it?

Me: Yes.

The next day, Monday I introduce my son who strides up to the lectern and reads his sisters words. Here is what she wrote, and what he said.

"Regardless of the fact that I grew up thousands of miles away from Grandma she has made a powerful impact on my life. Mary Jo Walter was one of the most beautiful and strongest women I have ever known. She was firm in word and action, always ready to stand up for what she believed in. I won't hesitate to say that in my new found womanhood I hope that I mirror her strength and beauty. And now I'm tens of thousands of miles away, but I wish with all my heart that I was in California right now with all of Grandma's beautiful and strong children, grand children and great grandchildren. Not so I could cry on your shoulders, although I'm sure that would happen. Not so I could find comfort in your hugs, although I have no doubt that this would occur as well. I wish that I was with you guys to rejoice, to celebrate the beautiful, genuine, long and inspiring life of Mary Jo Walter. I've realized over the past couple days that even though I'm not with you guys I am celebrating her life- we all are- with every breath we take. Even though I can't sit with her or talk with her or laugh with her anymore, her wisdom will stay by my side, and her laughter will ring from my heart for the rest of my life. In the end the miles make no difference- my heart is with every one of you. Love you all. I miss you guys.I love you."

Tomorrow more words of remembrance from the service in Southern California.