A Funeral

Not really a "normal" event, but getting a bit more common as we age--On Tuesday, Gary and I attended a funeral for Mel Thatcher, a friend from Hong Kong days.  He was a remarkable man who for over 30 years negotiated and obtained family records from all over the world for Family Search.  He was brilliant and was highly regarded in this field, publishing many articles especially in Chinese.  I served in a YW presidency with his wife, Tuan, who is equally as amazing as him.  At the time we knew them, they only had three of their six children living with them in Hong Kong but they basically raised their family in Asia living in Hong Kong a couple of times, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines.  

It was good to see his children that we knew and to meet the other ones.  And it was also great to see some of our old Hong Kong friends--Allan Anderson, Pat Jones and his wife--whose name I can't remember, and Eileen Bradford.  We learned later that Joyce Abernathy was also there, but we missed seeing her.

His impact on gathering records is beyond measuring. One of the speakers who worked with him at Family Search said that even Family Search doesn't have a way to track how many collections he gathered --or arranged to have microfiched or digitized depending on the time period. Millions and millions of people are now available to be found and researched because of his work and tireless research to track down and to acquire these important records.  And did I say he was brilliant??

You know sometimes when you are at a funeral for someone like Mel who was amazing professionally but also as a human being--a husband, father and grandfather, you might feel like your life is unimportant in comparison. That might be a natural human feeling.  However, during that funeral, what I found was a feeling of gratitude for the way my life unfolded, how my talents and gifts have been used, and how I have been able to touch others--not millions, probably not even hundreds--but one by one--and an overwhelming feeling that just like Mel used his gifts, I have been able to use mine--not perfectly, but in ways that God has intended. We all have a place on this earth and there is a plan in place for us to grow individually but also to help others---and it is highly individualized for each person. There is a meme which says something like "Be the best YOU you can be.  There isn't anyone else who can."

Another sweet part of the funeral was my interactions with the Thatchers' children.  Joseph, Suzette, and Leah lived in Hong Kong when we did and the two girls were in YWs when we served with their mom.  Joseph was the first one I saw and I loved his response to me and the sense that it was meaningful to him to share this day with us and other HK friends. Next I saw Beckie--who I really never met, maybe in passing at their 50th wedding anniversary a number of years ago. I said, "Hi, we are the Halls.  We knew your parents in Hong Kong.:  She immediately said, "You are Judy. You have children who are adopted. We do too. My mom loves you and has talked to me about your experiences."  Leah and Suzette both said something similar--our parents loved you and your family.  Suzette said, "I will never forget what a good friend you were to my mom back in Hong Kong."  She was 15 years old then and a bit of a rebellious daughter---yet she noticed and appreciated my friendship with her mom.  We never know when others are watching and remembering.

What a blessing to know Mel and Tuan Thatcher----living in Hong Kong--the gift which keeps on giving.

Til we meet again, sweet Mel!