Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own God's Not Dead.
was raining the day of Creda's funeral, which added to how miserable Josh felt as he walked from the car into the church. He and his parents went into the auditorium and sat in the front pew. Creda's coffin was in front of the stage. It was opened so people could view her body. People would come up to it and then come over to them and say how sorry they were and what a wonderful little girl Creda was. When the service began and pastor Adamson talked about Creda and God Mr. Wheaton held his wife with his uninjured arm as she cried. Josh could tell that even though he was trying to be strong his dad was close to losing it. Finally it was time for friends, teachers and family to speak. First to speak was Creda's best friend from Sunday school, then Creda's school and Sunday school teachers then it was his and his Dad's turn. Mr. Wheaton stepped up to the microphone, took a deep breath and began. "Even though she was here for a short time there are so many stories I could tell. I will never forget the first time I got to hold my daughter after she was born. She looked up at me with her beautiful brown eyes, gave me a small smile and fell asleep like she knew I was her dad and she was safe with me. Or the dayI took her training wheels off her bike and helped her ride it. She was terrified she going to fall. Before she got on it she looked at me and made me promise not to let her fall. After I promised she smiled, got on and started peddling while I held on to the seat. Eventually I let go and she rode it without my help. As all of you know Creda had Autism and I may be biased and though she had her moments I don't believe that made her less of a human being or anything like that. I believe that made her even more thoughtful and kind. Creda was my princess. I will always miss her." Mr. Wheaton backed away from the microphone and put a hand on Josh's shoulder as he took his place at the microphone. "There are so many words that can sum up my sister. Kind, energetic, funny, a good friend and the best little sister I could have hoped for." Josh paused as his throat tightened. " From the day she was born I protected her and tried to love her as a big brother should even when she was acting up because of being autistic. I will carry her with me forever." With that said he stepped away from the microphone, his dad gave him a one-arm hug and they walked off the stage. After the reception everyone got into their cars and headed to the cemetery. Josh had volunteered to be a pallbearer so he helped carry his sister's coffin from the hearse to where she would be buried. After a prayer there was a moment of silence as Josh and his parents had one last chance to say goodbye. Mr. Wheaton walked up to the coffin and laid his hand on it. All the sorrow he had held in until that moment came rushing to the surface as he let a sob and tears ran down his cheeks. "Goodbye my little princess" he said. Then the coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. As people began to walk back to their cars or to console Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton as they walked back to their car Josh walked over to the edge of the hole that now held his sister's coffin. "Goodbye little sister. I miss you," he said. Then he joined his parents.