Besides the normal sadness at wakes, and the normal greeting of people, family members who are only seen at such events, an unexpected tragedy occurred at my cousin’s wake today. A woman who stood up for my cousins at their wedding passed out, and may have died.

The funeral director handled everything pretty well. The police and paramedics were there within 5 minutes. Everyone was moved to another room. While we waited for the emergency crew, I stayed with the woman, her husband, and another of the mourners who was a retired nurse practioner. I held her hand, prayed for her, and blessed her. Once the paramedics arrived I went into the next room and led family and friends in prayer for this woman, Eleanor.

Eleanor’s husband then asked that I go back and stay with her. Things did not look good. It was tragedy upon tragedy for my cousin’s family. Please keep them and Eleanor’s family in your prayers.