Aphy

been a devout Christian, and had been committed to the Lord. Eileen

told the priest that only a hypocrite would be concerned with such rules.

In the end, the beautiful words of the hymn were read in church, as part of the farewell prayer to Alphy, by his youngest daughter, Joan. (Joan had decided that she would read the words of the hymn without the priest’s consent). The words of the hymn were as follows:

I wandered far away from God Now I’m coming home

The path of sin too long I’ve trod Now I’m coming home

Chorus: Coming home, Coming home Never more to roam Open wide Thine arms of love Lord I’m coming home

On July 16, 1993 Eileen was listening to the words of this hymn, on the tape deck in her car on her way to the funeral service. The beautiful words brought back fond memories of her Dad. The memory was very vivid in her mind, as the tears flowed freely down her face - Eileen could picture her Dad in his favorite rocker, rocking back and forth while listening to his favorite hymn. It hurt so much to know that he was gone, even though Eileen knew he had gone toa better place.

The sky was blue, and the sun shone brightly, but as the day progressed there were a few sun showers in the air. Eileen slowed the car down, to make the turn off the St. Louis Road, unto Palmer Road. As she did so, she glanced upward towards the sky. Behold, directly above her was a beautiful rainbow! Suddenly, there was a complete sense of peace in her heart. Eileen knew instinctively that her Dad was with the Lord. The rainbow was a symbol of assurance.

Later, when Eileen told a close friend about seeing the rainbow on her way to her Dad’s funeral, Eileen’s friend expressed that the rainbow signifies that the Lord smiles on the faithful. The statement made complete sense, for Alphy had indeed served the Lord faithfully.

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