They had been running around, but now they all sat still, resting up and catching their breath.

“Summer is almost over,” said Barabas.

“Like, you know, it’s kinda sad,” said Running Chairs. “Like all these leaves are dead, you know.”

Sam thought about that awhile and said “The leaves are dead, but the trees are still alive,” and then he added “My grandfather is dead.”

Elizabeth looked at Barabas to see if he was thinking about his mother. She couldn’t tell. And then Elizabeth thought about Mrs. Potato Head. Elizabeth never knew Mr. Potato Head but she knows that Mrs. Potato Head still mourns for him. And Margaret still mourns for her mother. Elizabeth remembered the time their SCS Class went to visit Margaret’s mother when she was sick.

Lamar was thinking about saying something about when his first Guide Dog, Rex, was hit by a car and died. But he didn’t say anything because he was afraid he might cry. He really loved his dog Rex. A Guide Dog is much, much more than a pet to a blind boy. Lamar’s new Guide Dog, Bill, helps Lamar know where it is safe and where there is danger. Guide Dogs are specially trained to protect their master.

It seems like every family has someone who has died. When the trees cast their golden spell in the autumn and the air turns cold, and the birds fly away to warmer places, sometimes that reminds us of when things die.
My father was 89 years old when he died and I was holding his hand. That was a very sad time.

Today is a day when we remember all our loved ones who have died and gone to heaven to live with Jesus. Today is called “All Saints Sunday.”

“I have an idea,” said Barabas. “Let’s all find a stone and put it on this stump. It will be like a remembrance for our loved ones.”

Barabas started by putting a rock on the stump and he thought about his mother who died when he was just a baby.

Sam thought about his grandfather and Lamar thought about Rex, his old Guide Dog.

Running Chairs couldn’t remember anyone who died, but she put a rock there anyway. She said “Like, this is for, you know, in case, like some people are forgotten.”

Elizabeth placed a rock on the stump and thought about Mr. Potato Head and Margaret’s mother.

Jesus said “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

And Jesus comforted these children. They couldn’t actually SEE Jesus. But his presence was most definitely there.

Jesus is present this morning, right in this room and he extends comfort to all the families today who will hear the name of their loved one said in the prayer when we light the candles. Thank you Jesus.

THE END

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