Chapter 20
The next day dawned bright and clear on Matilda Beemis’s celebration-of-life service.
Beverly and Geraldine had offered to host the event at their home, but those plans changed when it appeared that a large number of people in the community planned to show up.
Word was, the Gazette was even sending a reporter and news crew to cover the event. For that reason, the decision had been made to hold the memorial at the local civic center.
Emily wasn’t sure how one dressed for their own memorial service, but she brought out the little black dress she’d worn to Rosemary’s reception.
“I wish you would ride with us.” Myra stood as Emily came down the hall.
The entire family was attending the service and were now gathered in the parlor.
Dalton stood by the mantel. “There is plenty of room.”
“It’s a beautiful day, and I feel like walking.” Emily gestured to her flats. “These are extremely comfortable.”
“You look quite lovely, my dear.” Myra offered Emily a reassuring smile.
“I understand you’ll be playing your violin at the service.” Ken took a sip of coffee.
“Yes.” Emily swallowed, her throat having suddenly gone bone-dry. “Her-her friends asked if I’d play ‘Amazing Grace.’ Apparently, it was a favorite of hers.”
Myra expelled a breath. “That tune always brings a tear to my eye.”
It always brought a tear to Emily’s eyes as well. Which was exactly why she really hadn’t wanted to play it. But she could tell it meant a lot to the women who meant so much to her. Which was why she’d agreed.
“It does tug at the heartstrings,” Emily said when she noticed Myra gazing expectantly at her. Picking up the case she’d set at her feet, Emily slung it over her shoulder. “I better go. I promised to meet Lola before the ceremony begins.”
When she’d been asked to play, Emily had mentioned Lola. The women had enthusiastically approved of her suggestion that she and Lola perform together.
“I can come with you.” Dalton set his cup on the mantel. “Keep you company.”
“Thank you, but I need this time to mentally prepare.” Emily shrugged. “Like for your grandmother, ‘Amazing Grace’ is one of those tunes that brings all sorts of memories flooding back.”
Ken’s expression remained solemn. “It seems like it is played at every memorial service or funeral I’ve attended.”
“It was played at my mother’s and at my father’s.” A lump formed in Emily’s throat. She cleared it before continuing. “I need to focus on this being about Matilda.”
“If you change your mind on the walk over,” Dalton held up his phone, “I’m driving separately, so just call.”
“I will.” Emily smiled at him, grateful he understood. Grateful they all understood.
The staff of the civic center was bringing in extra chairs when Emily arrived. Though the service wasn’t set to begin for thirty minutes, the auditorium was already three-quarters full.
The front of the auditorium was filled with flowers, not just the brightly colored ones Til had adored, but everything from peace lilies—a standard at any funeral/memorial service—to roses in every color.
The hollyhock display had Emily blinking back tears when she turned to greet Lola.
“OMG, when you said this was a celebration-of-life service for an old woman, I thought twenty or thirty people would show.” Lola’s eyes were wide as she glanced around the large room. “There must be a hundred people here already, with more streaming in every minute.”
Emily had mentioned that Til was ninety-two and active in the community. While she might have expected more than twenty or thirty people coming to pay their respects, the number of people who were showing up surprised even her.
“Is there anything I can do to help you set up?” Emily asked.
Lola had already been here when Emily had arrived, and from the looks of it, all the equipment was ready to go—including a video camera.
“Are you going to record this?” Emily asked. That hadn’t been part of the discussion.
A watchful look filled Lola’s eyes. “I thought I would, unless you have objections.”
“What are you going to do with the footage?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Lola’s expression grew thoughtful. “I thought I would put the ‘Amazing Grace’ rendition up on TikTok, along with a kind of memorial message.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s ‘Amazing Grace.’” Lola shot her a quick smile. “And because we’re going to be amazing.”
Emily tapped two fingers against her lips. She was still trying to figure out this social media stuff. “I don’t know…”
“How about we record it, and then we can talk about it and decide?”
“That will work.”
By the time the service started, the room was bursting at the seams. From where she was seated off to the side, Emily recognized so many in attendance.
Even former inmates whom she’d tutored at the detention facility, some from way back when she’d first begun her literacy efforts, had come. Many had brought their families with them.
Her heart swelled as she recalled Jose, who now ran a successful plumbing business in GraceTown, and how he had flawlessly read an entire page in English. Or Maury, from youth detention, who’d been passed on from one grade to the next in school without learning to read. His dyslexia had meant that an alternate method of learning had had to be employed.
So many students who’d become productive members of society and valued friends through the years were here.
Sally, whom she had been proud to call a neighbor and whom she’d seen on her way to the park that last fateful day, was here, along with her family.
Lisa had volunteered to be the emcee for the service. As a librarian, Lisa was comfortable in front of a crowd. It must be a good day for her MS, because she walked with her son’s assistance to the podium, her wheelchair nowhere in sight.
“Thank you all for coming here today to honor the life of your friend and mine, Matilda Beemis.” Lisa let her gaze sweep the crowd, and her lips curved up ever so slightly. “I think we can all agree that Til was a force of nature and a woman we will never forget.”
Beverly stepped to the podium then.
Emily hid her surprise. Beverly must have insisted on being a part of the service, because Emily knew the other friends would not have forced her, knowing how nervous she got when speaking to a group.
“We spent a lot of time on this obituary, so for those of you who missed it, I’m going to read it now.” Beverly appeared to relax as laughter rippled through the crowd. “This is only a snapshot and certainly not the whole of a life well lived.”
Beverly paused, as if to make sure she had everyone’s attention, then continued. “Matilda Jean Beemis was born…”
Emily listened, amazed at the details that her friends had included and how they added to her life story without being boring.
“Wow,” Lola whispered. “I’m impressed.”
Emily only nodded, noticing Beverly appeared to be nearing the end of her reading.
“When someone reaches the ripe old age of ninety-two, you know their days could be numbered.” Beverly paused, clearly overcome with emotion. “But you’re never prepared to lose a friend. Especially not one like her.”
Lisa, who’d taken a seat near the podium, rose and moved to Beverly, sliding an arm around her friend’s shoulders.
“We miss Til, but we know she’s not truly gone.”
Was it only Emily’s imagination, or did Lisa glance in her direction?
“She is still with us, and her works and her caring will live on in our memories,” Lisa said solemnly.
Beverly leaned toward the microphone, having regained her composure. “At this point in the service, I would welcome those of you who knew Til, whose lives were touched by her, to come forward and share your experience.”
A dark-haired man who looked vaguely familiar to Emily was the first one to reach the podium.
“Miss Beemis was my tutor when I first came to this country. I was eight and having a difficult time in school because of not knowing the language.” The man spoke quickly, his words tumbling out. “She helped me learn to read, and then, while she worked with my older sister, her granddaughter, Chloe, and I would sit and talk.”
The man gave a little laugh. “I didn’t realize until much later that that was part of my lesson, working on my conversational skills. Our parents only spoke Spanish at home, and my sister and I didn’t say much at school because we were embarrassed. But it was fun talking to Chloe. I hope both of them knew just what a difference they made in our lives.”
He might have been the first, but he wasn’t the last one to step to the podium.
Emily was amazed and touched. She’d never been formally honored for her accomplishments and hadn’t seen her efforts as anything special. Not when she looked around and saw others who seemed to be doing so much more.
But now, listening to person after person talk about how her help, however little it might have been, had changed their lives made her realize that she’d put her mark on this earth, through all the people she’d helped.
“Thank you all for sharing how Til impacted your life.” Beverly smiled. “I like to think she is with us now, seeing all her friends, listening to the stories, remembering right along with you and me and smiling that warm, wonderful smile of hers.”
“One of the things that Til always said warmed her heart at services like these were the songs,” Lisa said. “Her favorite was ‘Amazing Grace.’” Lisa glanced over to where Lola and Emily waited for the signal to begin. “Today, we have Emily Curtis and Lola Whitehead, two talented musicians, to play that song for us.”
It took all the strength Emily possessed to continue to play when Lola began to sing. Between the heartfelt emotion coming from the violin and the words that had always touched her heart, she wasn’t sure she could keep her emotions in check.
She told herself she owed it to all these people who had come here today to pay their respects to keep it together.
When the song concluded, dead silence filled the auditorium.
Then a couple of people began to clap, then others joined in. Emily knew clapping at a memorial service wasn’t customary, but nothing about Til’s death was customary. And it was apparent the song had moved many in the audience.
Emily bowed her head in acknowledgment, and Lola did the same.
When the applause faded, Lisa stepped back to the podium.
“I don’t know about you, but this service honoring our dear friend has inspired me. When I go home tonight, I’m going to figure out how I can do more to make this world, and especially GraceTown, a better place.”
Another round of applause greeted the sentiment.
“For now, enjoy cupcakes—made by my daughter-in-law, so I can vouch for their deliciousness—and punch on the back terrace. We invite you to gather and share your Til stories with each other.” Lisa held up a hand as people began to rise. “I would also like to announce that the efforts to restore Maplewood Park as a way of honoring her are moving forward. Look for a future article in the Gazette on how you can help and also on efforts to give this park that Til loved a new name—Beemis Park. Thank you all for coming.”
Emily and Lola began to pack up their equipment as everyone filed out of the room and headed in the direction of the terrace.
“You sang beautifully, Lola. Thank you.”
“I always want to do my best, but I admit after listening to all the stories, I really wanted to do it as a tribute to her.” Lola shook her head. “I wish I’d had a chance to meet her. She sounds like an amazing woman. Andrew certainly thought a lot of her.”
Emily had nearly forgotten that Lola and Andrew, the young man who’d always helped her at Timeless Treasures, were dating. “You two are still seeing each other?”
“For now. He’s a nice guy. I’m just not ready to get involved on a more serious level.” Lola slanted a sideways glance at Emily as she put away the amplifier. “What about you?”
“I don’t have the time to get serious with anyone.”
Lola gestured with his head. “Not even with him?”
Emily looked up, and there was Dalton, striding straight toward her.