On Tuesday 30th April tragedy struck our family. My beautiful niece Georgina O'Neill tragically died in Toronto as a result of an epileptic seizure. She was 16 years old, beautiful, with long flowing hair and sparkling blue eyes. 'Georgie Girl' was full of life, and like many kids her age had many friends and interests. She was fortunate to come from a close and very loving family. As a student, she was hard working and highly intelligent with vast potential. As a friend, she was loyal, charming, and much loved by many. Now she is gone and our worlds shall never be the same again. She has left a huge gaping wound that will take time to heal... In her 16 years she left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Why? It's a question that has been going through my head morning, noon, and night. Why did God take her so soon? This little girl could only have made our world brighter and happier. We need people like her in our world and yet, sadly, she was taken - far too soon. And bombers and kidnappers and rapists still walk...?? My theory is that she had no karma left to work out in this world... She was perfect enough to enjoy the rewards of heaven NOW... without having to suffer anymore in this Valley of Tears...There has to be a good explanation and this one works for me. To know she is enjoying the rewards of heaven makes me feel happy. A psychic confirmed she was in a wonderful place, and I have no doubt she is.
The funeral was like that of a President's; a tribute to the love and respect the community had for Robert, Kate, Georgina and all the family. Hundreds of people filled the church to capacity, and seats were assembled outside to cater for the masses of people who had come to pay their final respects. There was enough food to feed an army, and the attention to detail was remarkable. It takes months to organize a wedding, yet this Celebration of Georgina's life came together in just one week! Hundreds of hands clearly were at work behind the scenes.
Purple was Georgina's favourite colour, and is also the colour for Epilepsy. We all wore something purple to the church. Kate's friend Mary Beth was the Funeral Director. She did a truly superb job. Everything from the lilac cup cakes to the purple sprinkles on home made cakes. The love that went into every item of food was indeed touching. Purple foil covered chocolate teddy bears, purple orchids for everybody to wear, purple napkins, lilac and purple ribbons to wear on our lapels etc. Purple ink on the memorial cards...
A lone piper played outside the church and the haunting sound of the bagpipes could be heard all the way down the silent streets. The warm afternoon sun shone down from the sky in sympathy, and all our hearts were united as one...
I will remember forever the sight of all the family walking together into the church, dressed in varying shades of purple. Every time I see that colour, I shall think of Georgina. She would not have wanted a black, sombre farewell, so purple it was! A trio of girls from her school sang a rendition of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'. (you can hear it on Polly's Playlist). Her best friend since kindergarten days, Jacinta, delivered her Eulogy, but it was the words of the pastor, Rev. Mark that filled our hearts with hope. He was absolutely, and without doubt, one of the most impressive people I have ever listened to; a sentiment that was shared by everyone in the church that day.
Rev. Mark said it was O.K. to be angry with God and that God could take anger, but we must not give up on him... He re-iterated that it was not 'the will of God' for Georgina to die - not at all. He said God does not want to see us suffer and to say it was 'The will of God' was not correct. I shall NEVER use that term again! His words really made me think. I had never been to an Anglican Church before, but I sure was impressed - very!
Rev. Mark said God wants all his people to get along and if there is somebody you are at war with...try to get along with them, because if you don't you'll be seeing them again in the great big banquet in the sky! It's likely God will have them planted right beside you - the people who annoyed you most in this world - Fancy that? Rev. Mark had a good sense of humour which came from a strong conviction that God is good, and that our beautiful beloved Georgina is far luckier than the rest of us! She is in heaven now...we poor souls have to work to get there! Dang!
PEACE to each and everyone of you reading this now.
In honour of Georgina, I shall strive to be at Peace with the world; to be a better person, and to realize that life is short...
I'll finish with a quote from Georgina's Memorial:
'God will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone'.
(Lamentations 3:32-33)
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