A royal escort

What a send off! The roar of motorcycles filled the air as 75 bikes followed the hearse from Potter's Funeral Home in Willimantic to the cemetery where Dave was laid to rest. Dave was a member of the James Gang and active in a number of club activities over the years. He and his fiance would ride all over New England and into New York and Pennsylvania in good weather. He loved the open road and it was his life. The motorcycle clubs were his extended family.

Dave died last week when an undetected blood clot hit his brain. He was only 47 years old. This was my second biker's funeral. I had an idea what to expect this time and I was not disappointed. Dave went to his final resting place in style. He had a royal escort.

The truth is that although we don't see it, I like to think that all believers will have a royal send off when our time comes. When our life is over, our faith suggests that we will be greeted by our Lord himself and a host of angels who will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We won't hear the roar of the pipes but we will feel the breeze from the angel's wings.

God bless Dave today. For he enjoyed that which was seen (very impressive!) and that which was unseen (a reason to celebrate!) as he was ushered into paradise.

Cal