"See? I told you I was sick"

Those are some of the words that Cherie Cormier requested be included on her headstone. A witty, and in her own words, "smartass" lady passed away yesterday and was buried in Lihue Cemetary this morning.

 

Her Baha'i graveside service was simple, uplifting and filled with love and good humor. A woman who lived her whole life with never-ending pain from a botched surgery, Cherie left all of us with a new appreciation for the meaning of "long-suffering".

A couple of days ago, when she took ill, Cherie expressed her "readiness" to wing her way to the next state of existence.

From the Writings of Baha'u'llah:

O SON OF BEING!

Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning: for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.

O SON OF THE SUPREME! 

I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendour. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?

O SON OF SPIRIT!

With the joyful tidings of light I hail thee: rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace for evermore.

O SON OF SPIRIT! 

The spirit of holiness beareth unto thee the joyful tidings of reunion; wherefore dost thou grieve? The spirit of power confirmeth thee in His cause; why dost thou veil thyself? The light of His countenance doth lead thee; how canst thou go astray?

O SON OF MAN!

Sorrow not save that thou art far from Us. Rejoice not save that thou art drawing near and returning unto Us.

O SON OF MAN!

Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty.