By Susan Sanders, Holy Cross, Sullivan’s Island, SCFrank and I attended the joint funeral of Tywanza Sanders and Susie Jackson on Saturday. We arrived at 1:00 p.m. assuming we had lots of time, since the funeral started at 2:00. Already the line was long and we were being told we probably wouldn't get in, and we could head on over to Second Presbyterian where they had a satellite feed.
We decided to wait anyway - there was such a feeling of community. Standing in line we had conversations with those around us - learned about their stories - life stories, relationship stories. And the longer we stood there, the more we felt we had known each other for longer than an hour. A storm moved in just as the earlier funeral was ending - torrents of rain and thunder and lightning. I had an umbrella - not a very large one - but six of us huddled together - mostly getting wet, but feeling the closeness and not wanting to release our hold on one another.
We ended up at Second Presbyterian anyway - soaking wet, but feeling a presence - the Holy Spirit - and peace, even joy, as we took part in the service with everyone else.
Charleston has really shown our country, and the world, what it means to come together as Christians. More than that, they have shown the world there is another way to live: not with hatred in our hearts at the wrongs done to us, but to forgive, and to live in peace with one another. I believe the greatest good that can come from this horrific event is to speak love and forgiveness to one another; to teach our children to love and forgive.
