Genesis 2:7

the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

I had a sudden revelation during the service at Mandai that the dust that the Bible was referring to was not dust as in dustbunnies, but dust as in earth from the ground.

[during the funeral on the past 2 days, I was afraid to look at my grandpa's body. They made us stand beside the coffin as people passed it and wished us well at the same time, but I never looked. I was afraid I would rmb it. But at Mandai, the relatives had to take one last look at the body and I had no choice. I tried to look like I did but my eyes caught a glimpse of it. He looked so lifeless. He was, but comparing it to him sleeping, you could tell it lacked that sth. It was then that I had the revelation.]

[And I was even more convinced of it when we went to collect the ashes. I didn't want to go but my mom made me go in.]

After our whole life has passed, we only return to the ground the same thing as we entered.

It is not that we are part of the carbon cycle, but that only God can breathe life into dust so that it becomes you.

[I was trying v hard to stay strong today. Many people were weeping. I don't like being in situations or places like those. The whole atmosphere of Mandai was unbearable. At certain parts of Mandai, you could smell things. Even the slightest whiff was unbearable for me. Both the rotting smell and the soap smell. I couldn't stand being in that place. I didn't hear what the pastor said, I don't know what the message was about. The whole time there, I was only focused on getting out as soon as possible. That was all I could think of.

I didn't wanna take part in the ash collection or look as the coffin entered the furnace. Why put yourself through the emotion. If you've accepted that he has gone to be with God, a place where you know he will be very happy in, then you don't need to do those things. You can miss him, but the body doesn't mean anything. You only hv memories. I miss him too.]

sheryl