It’s Gonna Be Alright

A while back, I told you about the blessing I received from the young man at the pizza restaurant. I want to tell you about another blessing I received.  At a funeral  

About 7 or 8 years ago, I was in a bad place in my life, mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially.  I had neglected my business to take care of my father during his struggle with terminal cancer. After he died, I was faced with having to close the business. I had been through a nasty divorce that left me completely broke. My children didn’t want anything to do with me and I couldn’t see my granddaughter. It started taking a toll on my health, mental as well as physical. It was the absolute lowest point of my life  

When I thought things couldn’t get any worse, Bill died. Bill worked for my father for over 30 years and had been a part of my life since I was a child. He was a good man and I thought the world of him. So the day of his funeral, I put on my best suit and went to pay my respects.  

This was my first African-American funeral.  I don’t mean that in a racist way, but African-Americans do things a bit differently from the “white” funerals I’ve been to. I won’t go into specifics, but I will say it was an inspiring and uplifting service.  The pastor had known Bill all his life, and said, “Sometimes I have trouble finding something good to say about a person at their funeral, but not this time.  There is nothing to say about Mr. Bill that isn’t good.”  And he was right.  

But the real blessing I received wasn’t from the pastor, or the service, but from the sweet little old lady sitting beside me, Ms Mamie.  The pastor was talking about how we should lift one another up in times of grief and sorrow.  He told us to turn to the person sitting next to us, and say to them, “Everything is going to be alright.”  

As I said, I was in a dark place and was about ready to give up. Ms Mamie could tell I was hurting. She took my hand, squeezed it, looked me in the eye, and said, “Honey, everything IS going to be alright.”  And I knew right then that it would be.  

I completely broke down. I was sobbing. All my emotions came flooding out. I knew my troubles hadn’t gone away, but I felt like I could face them and I would survive. That one kind gesture from that sweet lady gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, everything WOULD be alright. And you know what?  It is. 

 Maybe Ms Mamie was the angel I needed that day. I don’t know.  But I do know that if you find yourself down or depressed, and think things will never get better, remember what Ms Mamie told me.  Honey, everything IS going to be alright.  

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