Adventures in Odyssey

Jack Allen: I can't find it.

Eugene Meltsner: Did you browse the table of contents?

Jack Allen: That's what I can't find. I'm going to have to suggest to Dale Jacobs he organize the Odyssey Times a little better. Oh, here it is. B7.

Eugene Meltsner: Did Connie say she was doing well?

Jack Allen: As well as can be expected, I suppose. Bennett, Fisher, Gregg. Ah, there. Kendall, Mildred.

Eugene Meltsner: Where?

Jack Allen: That column there. Mildred Kendall passed away from heart failure on... Well, you can read it for yourself.

Eugene Meltsner: Eleven lines. Eleven lines on the obituary page to commemorate the life of Connie's grandmother. The day she was born, the day she died, who she left behind. It doesn't seem right. How can you condense a person's life to 11 lines?

Jack Allen: Eugene, I don't think these 11 lines are supposed to be the fullness of Mildred Kendall's life. It's just a marker, a way to tell the people who care that she died, when the funeral will be, and where.

Eugene Meltsner: It still seems to me that a person's life should have more to it.

Jack Allen: A person's life should, Eugene, and I suppose the funeral service will try to give acknowledgment to her life and love and faith. But this, this is just a listing in a newspaper.

Eugene Meltsner: Is there anything we can do for Connie?

Jack Allen: We're sending flowers, making a donation to some of Grandma Kendall's favorite charities, like she asked. Apart from that, the only thing we can do is what we've always done for Connie, which is stay close by and be her friends.

Connie Kendall: I think this is the last of it. I put as much in her suitcase as I could fit.

June Kendall: Considering she didn't stay with us very long, she sure brought a lot of stuff. Three suitcases and two boxes.

Connie Kendall: Yeah. It's like she knew and she wanted her most precious belongings surrounding her. Did you see this music box?

June Kendall: She kept it on her nightstand. Didn't you see it?

Connie Kendall: I didn't notice it until I was packing her things up. I don't recognize the song.

June Kendall: I know it. We sing it in church sometimes. "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name."

Connie Kendall: Did you see what she kept inside? Look at this. One of your baby pictures. Your dad's and my wedding picture. I think this is your grandfather from World War II. I'm going to miss her.

June Kendall: Me too. I guess we should leave everything until your father says what he wants to do with it.

Reverend Thomas Row: Hi.

Connie Kendall: Hello.

Reverend Thomas Row: You're Connie, right?

Connie Kendall: Yeah.

Reverend Thomas Row: You don't remember me. I'm Reverend Thomas Row from your grandmother's church in New York.

Connie Kendall: Oh, yeah! Mom!

June Kendall: Hi, Reverend. I'm sorry we didn't know for sure you were coming. We could have picked you up at the airport. Come on in.

Reverend Thomas Row: It's quite alright. I rushed to get on the earliest plane possible. It seemed like I was here before I could call. How are you both?

June Kendall: We're hanging on, aren't we, Connie?

Connie Kendall: Yeah. We cry a little, then laugh about something we remember Grandma did or said, then cry again.

Reverend Thomas Row: Perfectly understandable. And Bill? How's he?

June Kendall: We don't know. He's not here yet. In fact, we're supposed to pick him up at the airport right now.

Connie Kendall: Oh, no! Care to make a return trip, Reverend?

Reverend Thomas Row: No, you go on. I'll get checked into the hotel. We can meet later to make arrangements with the funeral home about the service.

June Kendall: Good idea. We'll meet in an hour. You know where it is?

Reverend Thomas Row: I'll find it.

June Kendall: I'm so sorry about this.

Connie Kendall: See you later. Come on.

Bill Kendall: Whoa, take it easy. I'm not built the way I used to be.

Connie Kendall: Sorry. Hi, Dad. Did I tell you the wrong time?

Bill Kendall: No, we just got sidetracked.

June Kendall: Is this all you brought with you?

Bill Kendall: Yeah, I'll just throw it in the back seat.

Connie Kendall: But it's just a hang-up bag.

Bill Kendall: Well, I'm not planning to stay after the funeral.

Connie Kendall: Why? We've got...

June Kendall: Hang on, you two. We have to go straight to the funeral home.

Connie Kendall: Yeah, I hope you don't mind.

Bill Kendall: No, let's go.

Mr. Wexford: Thank you all for coming. Reverend Row, as Mildred's pastor, we're all very grateful that you took the time to be with us.

Reverend Thomas Row: I wouldn't have missed it.

Mr. Wexford: Please let me reassure you that Wexford's Funeral Home prides itself on quality in every detail.

Reverend Thomas Row: That's terrific, Mr. Wexford. What kind of details do we have to decide right now?

Mr. Wexford: Apart from small considerations for the viewing tonight...

Bill Kendall: Viewing? You mean you're putting her on display?

June Kendall: Don't be so crass, Bill. She's not being put on display. This is a chance for some of the folks around Odyssey who got to know her to pay their respects.

Connie Kendall: People at my church loved her.

Bill Kendall: I don't like it.

June Kendall: It's for us, Bill. Please.

George Barclay: Hi, sorry I'm late.

Mr. Wexford: Welcome in. Your timing is perfect. We were about to discuss the funeral service itself. Do you know everyone?

George Barclay: June and Connie, of course. I'm Bill Kendall. Oh, hi, Bill. Nice to meet you. I'm George Barclay, Connie's pastor. I'm terribly sorry about your mother. She was a wonderful woman.

Bill Kendall: Thanks.

George Barclay: Hello, I'm Thomas Row. Oh, Mildred's pastor! She told me about you. It's a pleasure and an honor.

Reverend Thomas Row: You're too kind.

Mr. Wexford: We were about to discuss the funeral service, George. Mildred didn't give any particular instructions. Reverend Row, I thought that possibly you and Pastor Barclay might be the best qualified to suggest what would be appropriate.

Connie Kendall: Excuse me, but I've been thinking about it a little, and I was hoping I could make a suggestion. You see, Grandma was so strong in her faith and so full of life that I thought maybe we could do something different.

Funeral services are always boring and depressing, and I figured that this one should be more like a celebration. We lost her, yeah, but she's home now. She's in heaven with Jesus and I can't think of any better...

Bill Kendall: Connie, Connie, hold up. If you're thinking that my mother's funeral service is going to be some kind of a party, well, then you're on the wrong track.

Connie Kendall: Not a party, Dad, but it needs to be more than just a lot of talk about death. I think we ought to balance our loss with heaven's gain. It doesn't have to be sad, but happy in a way.

Bill Kendall: No offense, sweetheart, but I don't want a pie-in-the-sky service for my mother, okay? I know how you feel because you're a Christian and all that, but there's nothing to be happy about here. She's dead, and that's a terrible thing.

Connie Kendall: But she's not just dead! She's alive. She's more alive than she's ever been!

Bill Kendall: Don't start, Connie. Mr. Wexford, I want a traditional service, you understand?

Mr. Wexford: Traditional is a very broad expression, Mr. Kendall. That's why we need to discuss...

June Kendall: Bill, I think what Connie's trying to say is...

Bill Kendall: Don't explain it to me, June. I should have figured you'd be on her side. My guess is that you're all on the same side. Hey, come on, let's bring party hats and streamers, okay? Come on, we'll laugh it up because my mother's dead!

June Kendall: Bill!

Reverend Thomas Row: Bill, you know that's not what anyone here wants.

Bill Kendall: Yeah? Well, why am I even here, huh? You're going to do what you want to do anyway. It doesn't matter whose mother she was!

Connie Kendall: Why are you getting so upset, Dad? Can't we at least talk about it?

Bill Kendall: There's nothing to talk about. I told you what I want.

June Kendall: Bill, sit down.

Bill Kendall: I don't want to sit down. You have my vote, but do whatever you want. She's only my mother.

Reverend Thomas Row: I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with him. Could I make a suggestion? I think Connie was onto something when she mentioned balance. Maybe we should try for a service that acknowledges the depth of your loss, Bill's loss, but the promise of a joy yet to come for believers.

June Kendall: Do you think you can come up with a service like that?

Reverend Thomas Row: We can sure try.

June Kendall: Thanks so much, Mary. Oh, people from the church have been bringing food all day. They've been wonderful. I'd better put this in the kitchen. Do you want any coffee? Bill? Bill?

Bill Kendall: What am I going to do with all of Mom's junk?

June Kendall: Junk? How can you call it junk? Some of these things are priceless.

Bill Kendall: Well, then why don't you and Connie keep it here for a while? I can't think about this now.

June Kendall: We'd be happy to. Now, Bill...

Bill Kendall: I don't want to talk about it, June.

June Kendall: We have to talk about it. Now, I think George Barclay's suggestion is the best: a balanced service.

Bill Kendall: I don't get any of this. What's balanced about somebody dying?

June Kendall: Well, if you believe the way Connie does, it's very balanced. You live, and if you accept Jesus, you die, and that death is merely an entry point to a new life.

Bill Kendall: Sounds great, but if you believe the way Bill Kendall believes, you live and you die, and the people you leave behind spend years trying to get over losing you.

June Kendall: Is that true? Will you?

Bill Kendall: Will I what?

June Kendall: Spend years getting over this.

Bill Kendall: How am I supposed to know? I've only had a couple of days to think about it.

June Kendall: Alright, alright, now don't get yourself worked up.

Bill Kendall: None of this makes any sense to me. Look what she kept. I mean, she still has this music box.

June Kendall: Where'd she get it?

Bill Kendall: I bought it for her. She saw it at a store somewhere and loved it. She couldn't afford it, so I went back and bought it for her later. Such a plain box. I could have picked her up something really nice for what this cost. I don't even know what the song is.

June Kendall: It's a hymn. Did you put the inscription on the bottom, too?

Bill Kendall: What inscription?

June Kendall: Here, look. "From Bill. 1 Timothy 6:17-19. In my prayers that you might find true treasure." What in the world does that mean? What's this 1 Timothy stuff?

June Kendall: I don't know. I was going to ask Connie to look it up. It's a book in the Bible.

Bill Kendall: Figures. I didn't put that inscription there, and I don't have the slightest idea what it means.

June Kendall: Well, maybe you should find out.

Bill Kendall: And maybe I should get out of here for a while. All this stuff is making me batty. I'm going for a walk or something.

June Kendall: You're not running away again, are you?

Bill Kendall: Why are you asking me that? Why does everybody think I'm running away?

June Kendall: Everybody, Bill? I...

Bill Kendall: I'm going out, alright? That doesn't mean I'm running away.

June Kendall: We're going to need every door in Odyssey fixed before he leaves.

Connie Kendall: Well, any sign of Dad yet?

June Kendall: No. Considering his frame of mind, I won't be surprised if he doesn't come at all.

Jack Allen: Good evening, Connie, June.

June Kendall: Hello, Jack.

Jack Allen: I'm sorry to be so late, but I stayed to close up Whit's End. Jason had to go to Chicago for some kind of meeting with Whit's company. Sends his respects.

Connie Kendall: Thanks. Oh, and thanks for the flowers! They're beautiful.

Jack Allen: You're welcome. Has everyone else already been here?

Connie Kendall: Pretty much everyone I expected, except one.

Jack Allen: Oh, who's missing?

Connie Kendall: My dad.

June Kendall: Bill's not known for his punctuality.

Jack Allen: Would you like me to try to find him? I could make a few calls, check the hotel.

June Kendall: Oh, no, no, it's alright. Nobody said he had to come tonight.

Mr. Wexford: Ladies. Mr. Kendall has arrived.

Connie Kendall: Oh, good. Where is he?

Mr. Wexford: In my office with Reverend Row. I think you should come right away.

Reverend Thomas Row: Bill, why did you do this? Why are you even here?

Bill Kendall: I came to view my mother. That's what we're supposed to do, right?

Reverend Thomas Row: Not in your condition, you won't.

Bill Kendall: What's wrong with my condition?

Reverend Thomas Row: You're drunk is what's wrong. Are you staying at the hotel? I'll take you back.

Connie Kendall: Where is he? Dad!

Bill Kendall: Oh, hi, kids! You going to escort me in?

Connie Kendall: Mom, what's wrong with him? Has he been...

June Kendall: Yes, he has. The word "soused" comes to mind. I'm trying to persuade him to come quietly back to the hotel.

Bill Kendall: I want to go home with you two.

June Kendall: Oh, Bill. What's happened to you?

Bill Kendall: I am grieving the loss of my mother the best way I know how. You do it by having happy funerals, and I do it by trying to forget.

June Kendall: And what exactly are you trying to forget?

Bill Kendall: That would be telling, now wouldn't it?

Reverend Thomas Row: What would you like to do? We can't take him inside.

June Kendall: His things are still in our car. I don't think he ever checked into the hotel. We'll take him home.

Connie Kendall: We will?

June Kendall: Yes, he can stay in the guest room.

Bill Kendall: I want to go in first. I want to see my mother.

June Kendall: You'll see her tomorrow. People are in there paying their respects and you wouldn't want them to see you like this, would you?

Bill Kendall: Like what?

June Kendall: Bill, we're going home.

Bill Kendall: I've made a mess of it all, haven't I? My marriages, my life. I couldn't even see my mother before she died. I ruined everything.

June Kendall: If you two gentlemen don't mind helping to guide Mr. Kendall to the car.

Jack Allen: No, of course we don't.

Reverend Thomas Row: Ups-a-daisy.

Bill Kendall: Wait, wait, wait! Will I see her tomorrow?

June Kendall: Of course you will.

Bill Kendall: Good. Good. Look, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

June Kendall: That's right. We're all sorry. The car's this way.

Bill Kendall: That's enough, thanks.

June Kendall: Feeling better?

Bill Kendall: Not really. I feel like somebody stuck my head in a large drum and started beating it with sledgehammers.

June Kendall: Well, that's what you get for drinking. Why don't you just tell me what's going on, Bill? Before we get to the funeral and you're tempted to make a fool out of yourself.

Bill Kendall: Oh, I won't make a scene. Do whatever you want at the funeral service. I'll be a kitten, I promise.

June Kendall: Meaning that you won't tell me what your problem is.

Bill Kendall: I'd rather not.

June Kendall: Suit yourself. But something tells me you'll be better off saying what you have to say now.

Bill Kendall: I'll take that chance.

Reverend Thomas Row: O God of grace and glory, we remember today our sister Mildred. We thank You for giving her to us as a companion on our journey.

Bill Kendall: Job 19. As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last He will stand upon the earth. After my awakening, He will raise me up, and in my body I shall see God.

Reverend Thomas Row: 1 Thessalonians 4:13. Brothers, we do not want you to remain ignorant about those who sleep in death, and we do not want you to grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again.

Connie Kendall: This is the thing that comes to mind more than anything is Grandma's faith. To the very end, it was bright and strong. She knew that no matter what happened to her body, she'd be alive in Jesus. She never doubted it. It was as true to her as it is for us to expect the sun to come up tomorrow morning.

You know, I was looking through my grandma's Bible this morning and saw some verses she underlined. There in Romans chapter 8, where the apostle Paul talked about all the things that couldn't separate us from the love of Jesus. He listed death first. Grandma knew that.

She also underlined the verses in 1 Corinthians 15, where Paul says that death has been swallowed up in victory. He said it has no power. It has no sting because Jesus conquered it on Easter morning. So, Grandma, we may cry a little...

Reverend Thomas Row: Many of you are here to mourn the death of Mildred Kendall. But I knew her for many years, and if she could speak to us now, I have no doubt that she'd say, "Mourn me if you want, miss me if you will, but don't feel sad for me.

There's no reason to be sad about where I am, for I'm in a place now where I've traded in my old tent for a glorious new dwelling place. I'm in a place where every tear is wiped away. There's no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for God Himself is with me and is the very light of my new day."

Mr. Wexford: June, Connie, Bill. At your request, we told everyone to go to the church for the reception. Reverend Row will accompany the casket back to New York, where Bill's sister Helen will meet them. Folks, now is the time to pay your last respects before we close the lid and place her in the hearse.

June Kendall: Thank you, Mr. Wexford.

Mr. Wexford: I'll just wait in the hallway if you need anything else.

June Kendall: Well, this is it. Connie?

Connie Kendall: See you later, Grandma. I love you.

June Kendall: Thank you for everything, Mildred. Bill?

Bill Kendall: Okay. Mom, I know I wasn't always the son you wanted me to be, but I want you to know I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

June Kendall: Bill?

Bill Kendall: I'm okay. I'm okay. I think the service moved me more than I thought it would. You two were right. It was beautiful. I just feel so bad.

Connie Kendall: It's alright, Dad.

Bill Kendall: Oh, you don't understand. I guess you'll find out sooner or later. April and I have split up. I can't seem to keep my marriages together.

June Kendall: Oh, Bill.

Bill Kendall: What makes it worse, I took off on a cruise just for the fun of it while my mother died here in Odyssey. To the end of her life, I only thought of myself. It's so selfish and meaningless. It's unforgivable.

Connie Kendall: Nothing's unforgivable, Dad. She loved you very much. Do you remember the music box? The inscription on the bottom? You bought her the music box and she used it as a reminder to pray for you. That's why it said "From Bill."

And then 1 Timothy 6:17-19. I looked those verses up. They say, "Tell those who are rich in the world not to be proud and fix their hopes on temporary things like money, but put their hope in God who provides everything for us.

Teach them to do good and to be rich in well-doing so they'll acquire a treasure for the future and have the life that is life indeed." Don't you see, Dad? She prayed that you would find the true treasure and true life. And you can, but only through Jesus Christ.

June Kendall: Bill, I know how you feel. You're reflecting on your life and that can be a good thing if you come to the right conclusions. For the moment, you think it's empty and meaningless. But your mother's life proved otherwise.

Her faith, her joy of life showed that there's more to life and death than what we always thought. Her joy is worth knowing and understanding. Listen to Connie. Your mother's prayers weren't in vain.

Bill Kendall: June, Connie, I can't ask her or even God to forgive me when I can't forgive myself. Goodbye. Goodbye, Mom.

Connie Kendall: Dad, please don't go! Bill! Oh, Bill. Do you think he's really gone, or will he go to the reception?

June Kendall: He's gone. And I can't help but wonder how long he'll keep running away like this. We'll send him the music box, okay?

Connie Kendall: Okay. We should go to the church now. Wait. Did you hear yourself, Mom?

June Kendall: When?

Connie Kendall: With Dad. You sounded like a Christian for a minute there.

June Kendall: Well, you know I've always been sympathetic.

Connie Kendall: Being sympathetic isn't the same as believing for yourself.

June Kendall: That's true. Connie, I look at your father and it reminds me of what life is like without faith. It's awful. And here you are, a teenager, and you're able to cope better than he can, even better than I can.

Now I suddenly realize that I've been right in the middle, somewhere between you and your father, sort of riding your coattails of faith but really living like him. I don't want to do that anymore.

Connie Kendall: You know what you have to do, right?

June Kendall: Yes, you've made that clear in the past. And maybe this is the best time, right here with you and your grandma. I want to know Jesus the way you know Him. Will you introduce me properly to Him?

Connie Kendall: Mom, I'd love to!

Focus on the Family: If there's one thing that the Bible assures us about, it's that our God is the God of life. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have complete victory over the power of death. Even when we pass from this life, we go to a greater life prepared for us by God.

A life the apostle Paul says that we can't even begin to imagine. Do you believe that? If you do, then your life should reflect it in what you do and say. You discover the things that may seem important to you now aren't so important when compared to eternity. And you'll want to tell your friends about the love of Jesus that draws us to eternal life in Him.

You know, I'd love to hear from you about today's program, or for any reason. Just send your letter to Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3.

And don't forget to ask about getting a copy of today's program. It's called "Where Is Thy Sting?". Adventures in Odyssey's a presentation of Focus on the Family. "Where Is Thy Sting?" was written and directed by Paul McCusker. Our production engineer was Dave Arnold. Music by John Campbell. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.