Alice used to say that good English wasn't just for school. That simple phrase is a key to understanding many other things about her. Alice understood the important of clear communication, the value of continuing to grow in knowledge and understanding even when one's formal schooling was over, and the need for harmonious order between the words in a sentence - or the people in a community.

The way we frame our understanding of life has a lot to do with the kind of life we lead and the example, for good or for ill, that we set for others. The family's choice of the Beatitudes for the Gospel reading is apt. The same gracious, caring logic that is expressed in Jesus' compassionate words and wisdom shone, in word and deed, in Alice's life.

Does that mean she was perfect - of course not. But Alice had clear ideas about how one should be and she tried to live into those ideals - with considerable, and inspiring success, I might add.

Alice did not invent the aphorism I am about to share with you, but I have no doubt that she would have used it if she had ever heard or seen it. In addition Alice would have solved the mystery of who actually originally said the words of this saying. It has been variously attributed to Frank Outlaw, the founder of the Bi-Lo grocery chain, Elizabeth C. who wrote a blog for lupus suffers in the late 1990's and the anonymous author of an ancient Chinese proverb. Feel free to go to Google and traipse from link to link to research it in honor of Alice. Here's the saying:

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Houses are constructed brick by brick, and board by board, but homes are formed by habits of the heart, loving deeds rising up from a foundation of loving words, and an open and loving character that lets in both the breeze of the spirit and the neighbors that God gives one. That description sounds to me like the home that Alice and Gene built.

Alice listened well, cared deeply, loved concretely and taught her children well. Her arms were open wide. Her enthusiasm was boundless. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. But Alice was a village all by herself in which not only her children but their friends could safely dwell and they grew strong like the bamboo that stretches skyward beside the deck of their home.

Alice charmed her friends, defended the downtrodden - that would be anyone that someone else disparaged, even if she didn't know the accused - saw the good in everyone and met life with a dry humor.

Some of us struggle to get to church with any regularity, but Alice and one of her friends made a regular pilgrimage to places of worship. One week they went to a church, the next it might be a synagogue. But each time it was an expression of the desire to admire what was beautiful in the stones, and valuable in the people. Each time it was a pilgrimage of mind, body and spirit.

Like the venerable elm just outside this church Alice had deep roots that drank from mysteries well below the surface. Just like the lilies of the field she was showered in God's grace and delighted in it. Just like the vine that stretches over the arbor at our side entrance Alice knew that good form supports good growth and that a branch needs the vine to thrive.

You and I and Alice are branches. We share a common root. The One who made the garden delights in our growth, hopes for good fruit, and meets us in the time of harvest. Alice lived well and produced good fruit. We are all better for the example she gave. Let us now give thanks for our blessings and live lives that are worthy of the gift God has given us. Nothing would please Alice more. AMEN