"Memorial Service For Dr. Elaine Parliman, DVM" By Reverend Barbara Sexton 'Dear Ones Healing Ministry'

www.siberianhuskies.net 

*UPDATED: 4/19/11
Dear Ones:
     A Memorial Service for Dr. Elaine Parliman, who died on Wednesday, April 6, will be held at The First Congregational Church of Stamford, in the sanctuary, on Saturday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m.
     Elaine has been a member of FCC Stamford since 2002. The Rev. Drs. Cari Jackson and Bill Matthews will officiate.
     FCC Stamford is located at 1 Walton Place, Stamford, CT 06901  phone: 203-323-0200
     Free parking access is via the Bedford Street driveway--just turn right onto church property and go around back.

     Elaine is one of those special people who gives, gives and gives some more.
     She is a role model of compassion with her love for people and also, most especially, for our small furry friends of the feline persuasion.
     As my friend, vet and sister in Christ, I was privileged to 'see the best' of Elaine in many different arenas and on many different levels.
     We deeply grieve the loss of this dear woman and we extend our sincerest condolences to the love of her life and her 'best friend', her husband Mark Oaks.
     For myself, I cannot imagine the impact of the loss he is feeling at present. 
     But we will keep him in prayer, reminding each other that his beloved wife is now blessedly in a place much better than this, though that is but 'rough consolation' with our grief so raw right now.
     Still, I'd like to direct us to 'things eternal' in the context of our loss.
     No doubt Elaine is yet being greeted by the many animals she has rescued and cared for, as she is reunited with the people who have gone before her.

 

floral dividers courtesy www.free-animations.co.uk

      Don't you wonder how long it will take her to meet and greet all of her loved ones and her 'little charges'?  (Good thing there's no 'cat hair shedding problem' in Heaven with all the hugs and snuggles now going on in God's Paradise...don't you think?)
     I conceive that it will take quite some time for Elaine to be reunited and reacquainted with ALL upon whom she has extended her kindness, wisdom, skills and compassion during her time on earth.
     Just think of the great joy our sister now knows FOR CERTAIN in the Light of eternal life...a joy we on earth can scarcely comprehend.
     We know God is so good and that Elaine is in His arms.  We're supposed to be 'happy' as Christians, right?
     Yet we still cannot contain our tears. 
     We shed them and cannot contain them because we love Elaine and miss her so much.  We 'wish' she was still here, plain and simple.
     But clearly God intends that Elaine serve us yet one more time, and this as a true embodiment of the 'Eastertide Message'.
     Scripture says:
"⁴² So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. "  1 Corinthians 15:42-44   (NIV)
LINK: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15%3A35-58&version=NIV
     Yes, Dr. Elaine Parliman, DVM, 'preserver of life', in turn, has her life 'preserved'...eternally...and through our faith we are witness to it.
     God only selects the 'special few' for such honor.  The Bible guides us as it distinguishes between "True and False Disciples".

     Jesus, himself, said: 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"  Mt: 7:21-23    (NIV)
LINK:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15-23&version=NIV

     As someone who is virtually incapable of false praise and false platitudes, I am compelled to say this:
     If ever I were certain of a thing, I will say straight out that I believe that Dr. Elaine Parliman, DVM not only 'lived the Word of the Lord' on earth through thought, mind, deed and action, but she achieved something not many actually do.
     In the tradition of St. Francis of Assisi and his love and care of all living creatures, I believe Elaine is a true saint receiving a saint's reward.
     I've met no one else like her in all my 60 years and I beg you--the next time you find yourself weeping for her death, turn your tears directly into those for the pure joy of a life well-lived.
     As a child raised in Africa with missionary parents who were *ACQUAINTED WITH AND WORKED ALONG SIDE WITH no less than Dr. Albert Schweitzer, himself, Elaine was imbued with something very special from a very early age.
     It was never about herself.  It was always about others.
     You can carry on Elaine's 'tradition' by making a memorial donation to and/or volunteering for one of Elaine's charitable causes, one of which I know to be 'Friends of Felines' http://www.adoptapet.org/.
     Elaine worked so tirelessly for them and others and I will list her other favorites here soon.
May God Bless & Comfort Mark, Family & Friends, As He Tends to our dear sister 'Lanie'
Amen
Reverend Barbara Sexton
"The Biblical Biochemist-Where Science Meets the Cross"
http://www.dearoneshealingministry.blogspot.com/

ivy dividers courtesy  www.webweaver.nu

pray plaque above courtesy www.sistersofcarmel.com