David's Monument at
Resurrection Catholic Cemetery,
Whitby, Ontario

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 David was buried at Resurrection Cemetery at approximately noon on Friday, June 26th, 1998.  The previous evening was a wild stormy night, with approximately 5,000 lightning strikes recorded in the province.  The morning of the funeral was brilliantly blue without a cloud in the sky, and just the occasional hint of a breeze to lessen the first heat wave of the summer.  Just as the final internment was to begin, Fr. Massman asked if he could read the prayer that we had included on David's prayer card that was made available at the funeral home during the wake. The prayer was on the opposite side of the card which featured a picture David drew shortly after his initial diagnosis (see picture), where an angel holding a very long list with the title "Prayers for David" asks a somewhat shocked Jesus if he "has a minute."  This was an acknowledgement to the flood of prayers which sustained us throughout David's illness. 

The included prayer is, we are told, a traditional Hebrew prayer:

In the rising of the Sun and in its going down, we will remember Him.  In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, we will remember Him.  In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring, we will remember Him.  In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, we will remember Him.   In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, we will remember Him.  In the beginning of the year and when it ends, we will remember Him.    When we are weary and in need of strength, we will remember Him.  When we are lost and sick at heart, we will remember Him.  When we have joys we yearn to share, we will remember Him.   So long as we live, He too shall live, For He is now a part of us, And we will remember Him.

As Fr. Massman came to the exact phrase "In the rustling of leaves" a tremendous gust of wind swept through the cemetery and shook the leaves of the maple tree beside his grave:  we had chosen the plot because of its nearness to the tree.  And we truly did remember him and our prayers were carried on that breeze - straight to heaven.