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On January 26, 2000...a few family members and I were planning Timothy's service for the following day. As we were discussing what songs to use and what readings were the best for him, our Priest, Father Bill mentioned that January 26th was the Feast of Saint Timothy. We found it ironic how centuries ago, January 26th was such an important day, a celebration for a Saint by the name of Timothy. And for us...it was a day of planning a service on saying "Goodbye" to OUR Timothy. Who now, in my heart and in many others...is "Our Little Saint Timothy." In some research on Saint Timothy, it turns out he was a son of a Greek father and mother Eunice, a converted Jewess. He joined St. Paul and preached at Lystra replacing Barnabas, and became Paul's close friend and confidant. When Paul was forced to flee Berea, Timothy remained, but after time was sent to Thessalonica to report on the condition of the Christians there. Timothy was sent to Macedonia in 58, went to Corinth to remind the Corinthians of Paul's teaching, and then accompanied Paul into Macedonia and Achaia. According to tradition, Timothy went to Ephesus, and became a bishop, and was stoned to death there when he opposed the pagan festival of Katagogian in honor of Diana. Like my Timothy, it doesn't have a happy ending, but he is still a Saint. In more research, I found another Saint Timothy that has a Feast Day in his name on January 24th...which is the day my Timothy passed away...
At Timothy's funeral service, I chose to have the third grade class from the church I belong to at Saint Ann's sing the music that day. I had the choice of an adult to sing or the children...It seemed fit to have the children. With Timothy being so young, I thought it would add a special touch to his servise. It must have been so hard for them to sing that day knowing that a baby had passed away. The way their voices carried throughout the church that morning is a sound I will never forget. They were so sweet...so innocent. It amazes me what I remember from that morning and what I don't. Much of it is a blur...however, at the end of the service, as I was walking behind Timothy's casket...I heard the children singing one of the most serene, touching songs that I have ever heard. I didn't even know they were going to sing it. It's a song called "Good-Bye." The song was so gripping...it was perfect in every way. I'm surprised I even recall the song. But as I was following Timothy, I seemed to take in everything at that moment for some reason. The people, the tears, the whispers, the feel of my heart breaking in a million pieces, Timothy's white casket in front of me... and the words to the song the children were singing. It is playing now and I wanted to share the words with you. When I hear this, I can hear those little voices singing in the distance all over again.
 
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~REMEMBERING~
