I just got back from a funeral.
It was the funeral for Colonel Phillips wife, Sherill Phillips. She died of cancer on Monday. The wake was last night and the ceremony was this morning. There were tons of people there and it was obvious that she was something special to tons of people. She was a teacher and was teaching Kindergarten in the same school that my mom works at. They saw each other often during the day and my mom would tell me about things they would talk about sometimes. Like about how much she loved butterflies and pretty much anything that had to do with nature. I have only talked to her a few times, but every single time that I had talked to her, she seemed liked one of the nicest people I have ever meet. The same goes for Colonel. Those two cared for everything and each other very much. It hurt me when I had heard that she was first diagnosed with cancer and hurt even more when I had heard that she had past away. The cliche phrase that comes to mind, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" How horribly true this statement can be. The Colonel and his wife were some of the nicest people I know. They both loved kids and which is why they both taught in schools. It really does hurt me to even have to think about anything bad happening to the Colonel. He is a great man. And now, his loving wife has been taken. I do surely hope that there is some place nice that she is at right now, and that she is there waiting for him.
After the service at the church, I got to see the Colonel. It has been a little bit over a year since I have seen him but he still looks the same to me. What was amazing to me was the fact the he was even able to smile. Everybody was giving hugs to the family and Colonel, crying, talking about old times. The air was heavy with sorrow, yet, there was Colonel, smiling and thanking everybody for showing. I will admit, it brought a tear to my eye, and even now as I type this. The whole time I have known Colonel, I don't think I have ever seen him frown. He saw me, we hugged and he greeted me, asked me how I was and all I could do was mumble, "I'm doing good." I can't even begin to imagine how he feels, and I don't think I want to.
My heart goes out to them right now. But more importantly, Colonel. For all the times he was there for people, I'm glad that they showed up to be there for him. I can't even begin to describe how great of a man he is. He has done so many things for other people. It really does break my heart to see things like this happen to people like this.
