Once upon a funeral: Happy Birthday, Elliot

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Today is Elliot's birthday. He has been my son's best friend since childhood. After I saw the reminder on Facebook, I began to think about something that Elliot did in 2014 that will forever be one of my most cherished memories. i don't really know if he knows just how much it meant to me then and still today.  Let me tell you about it.

In 2014 my mother passed away. She had been hit by a car in 2004 with many injuries, the worst of which required brain surgery.  She lived 10 more years after that with multiple health challenges:    a broken hip, colon cancer and Parkinson's. She had "died" so many times. God raised her up each time to bring Him glory, which she did!  My son was very close to "Dee," as we all called her, and he spent quite a lot of his time with her when he was in. At the time he was a cross country truck driver, travelling to California every week and back.

When my mom died, we were afraid to tell my son until he got to his destination for fear he would have a wreck; he was VERY close to his grandmother.  So we waited until he got to California, and then, of course, there was not time to get home for the funeral. He even tried to get a flight. He felt so badly about it, but we assured him that he had treated her like a queen when she was alive.

His friend Elliot called him and told him that he would stand in for him at the funeral. This was such a loving gesture, and it meant a lot to my son. And, it was especially sweet because my mother really loved Elliot and had often taken the boys places and been around Elliot. 

When we arrived early at the funeral home, Elliot was there.  He basically glued himself to my side and did not leave me until I got back in the car to go home.  He made sure i was OK, and my son got a full report of that. 

This was one of the sweetest, kindest things that anyone has ever done for me or my son.  A tear trickles down my face when I think about it.  Elliot, I have watched you grow up, and I was so honored to have you stand in as my son that night. 

Happiest Birthday, Elliot!

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