My Little Corner of the Universe

That's what brother Roman Diaz told my brother while he was in the nursing home, in hospice. About a week before he died. Last night the funeral services began. Brother Gonzalez gave the talk. And this morning, the final part of the services took place with a few words from brother Garcia doing a recap of last night's consideration.

We were the last ones to leave the funeral home, right after the family. When his sister went up to see him, she started weeping and could not stop. That was not easy to see.

But remembering the good and happy details helped. This sister mentioned how he used to be in the same bookstudy as she, at her house. She remembers how he would ask her to make his favorite cookies. And that he would always fight over the seats.

I remember when he would go out on service with us. Whenever we would work the street called 'Lytle', he could never pronounce it. He would say 'Li-li-light-er, lighter'. It was pretty funny. Pobrecito. He was always with a smerk. It's the little things that sometimes count and make all the difference. He will be missed until we see him again.

His family that were present are not Witnesses, so I think they benefitted from the comfort found in the Scriptures. Learning the truth of the Bible concerning death.

It was a sad occasion, but a joyful one too, knowing that brother Diaz lived a successful life in Jehovah's service. He served as an elder, a missionary, a special pioneer along with his wife, who died a couple of years ago. His missionary partner, brother Guajardo, was also there. He helped with the carrying of the coffin. And I, too, was one of the six to be carrying that box of sadness. But at the same time, it was a box filled with so many faithful years to Jehovah.

Hebrews 6:10 - "For God is not unrighteous so as to forget YOUR work and the love YOU showed for his name, in that YOU have ministered to the holy ones."