John’s notes for Anna Mae Fuller’s service.

Song – “Remember When” playing while people are being seated.

 Greeting:  “We are gathered here this morning because of Anna Mae Fuller’s passing.  Despite what the newspaper says, I am not a Reverend.
 Anna Mae for some reason wanted me to speak on this day; she planned this day six years ago.  I am just her nephew.  I can only wonder why she wanted me to speak on this day.  Maybe it was because she seen me pray for my dad or perhaps it is the way I live my life.  I hope it was because she seen Jesus in me.  My prayer is that somehow I impacted her life.  Three days ago I was informed of her wishes.  How could I say no?  I was given an envelope full of her wishes.  So I have put together her wishes and my thoughts.  I want to apologize up front if I offend anyone or stretch your comfort zone.

Will please bow your heads in prayer.

 Lord, Thank you for this lovely lady and all the years she spent on this earth.  Lord, I just ask that you might fill my spirit with the words you would like me to tell the people here today.  Thank you for bringing everyone here safety, to celebrate eighty-five years of Anna Mae’s life.  Lord, fill everyone here with your love and peace.  Comfort them through out this day.  Lord, I ask that you would protect everyone as they go home and that they might take with them something special from you today. It might be that warm feeling of you or the desire to get to know you a little better.

One of Anna Mae’s wishes was for me to read this poem, titled “The Dash”.

THE DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. 
He referred to the dates on the gravestone from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth, and spoke that date with tears,
But he said what mattered most was the dash between those years.

That dash represents all the time he spent alive on earth.
And now, only those who loved him most know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own, the cars the house, the cash.  
What matters is how we live and love, and how we live our dash.

So think about this long and hard, are there things we'd like to change?
For we never know how much time is left, for things to rearrange.

If we could just slow down enough, to consider what's true and real.
And always try  to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives, like we've never loved before.

If we'd treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this little dash might only last a while.

So when your life is being read, with our actions to rehash,
Would we be proud of what others will say, about how you spent your dash?

The word dash in this poem represents your life in this world, which is only temporary.  Anna Mae was blessed with eighty-five years of life, but seemed ready to go.  Perhaps she knew earth is just a temporary home.  Death is a part of our lives here on earth.  Some people fear this part of passing through life.  Some people accept it knowing that it is just part of the journey.

Based on what I know, this is how Anna Mae lived out her Dash.  If at any time someone would like to add something feel free to do so.  Anna Mae was born in Erie on October 7, 1924.  I can only imagine what life was like eighty five years ago.  A can of coke cola was only five cents.  Not only did she go to school, she managed to graduate from Academy High School.  She started to work early in life, met a young good looking man named Bill and soon they were married and had a child of their own.  One day Bill told Anna Mae he was going to get a haircut and three months later he returned home and said Anna Mae I found a place where I want to spend some time with you.  It is called Arizona.  They spent most every winter after that there camping and looking at the stars every night.  As life past by she found herself without Bill.  One day she was introduced to this crazy 20^th century treasure hunting game called geocaching.  She fell head over heels in love with this game.  Through the help of many friends and family members, she became known as “Grammy Annie”.  She found great pleasure in going all over the country, hunting down these crazy hidden pots of gold, she truly was enjoying life and loved to return to the computer to tell everyone of her journey.  Anna Mae is on her final journey now.  It’s up to us to talk about her now.

There is a Song I want to play now, please just listen to the words.

Temporary Home

This is what I know, just like the song says we're just passing through, God loves us, we are his favorite creation and his desire is that we spend eternity with him.  In Psalms 91:1 it says “He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”.  He loves you; he want to bless you, his shelter is for every one of us.  His Son, Jesus, died on the cross so that every one of us can rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Have you ever stood in the shadow of something?   In order to do this you must do two things, be alongside of it and in line with it.  The farther away you get the narrower the shadow becomes.  It only takes one thing to live out your dash in the shadow of the Most High.  You need to ask Jesus into your heart.  That is something only you can do, it is your choice.

Let us Pray.

Olive transcribed John's handwritten notes and gave them to me today. I thank him and her and everyone that was there that day.  Mom was proud of the service that her nephew John provided. And now the world can read what he had to say.
Thank you John.

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