Easter and the fainting church member / Pastoral Remembrances (4)

Remembrances—brief or lengthy, humorous or otherwise—that have stayed with me

It’s Easter Sunday morning, the “Sunrise Service.” We’re all out in front of the church, on the church’s front lawn as it were. It’s probably my 2nd Easter at the church.

The service is underway and, suddenly, a stir. An elderly gentleman has passed out and fallen out onto the grass. We stop and gather around. Somebody says, “Somebody call 911!” Somebody does so.

The first responders who arrive are firemen. The firetruck pulls up, lights flashing. The elderly man is still on the ground, but he has come to. When the firetruck pulls up, another elderly man behind me mumbles, “I knew he fainted. Had no idea he had burst into flames.” I feel the corners of my mouth forming into a smile. I push it away.

The elderly man is awake, alert, still lying on the ground. There’s a crowd of church members around him. I press through and lean over him. I say, “Are you ok?” He looks up at me and whispers, “Yes. Now get out of the way. There are some pretty women behind you who want to check on me.”

Easter. I love Easter. That was certainly one to remember.