Emma stood stoic in front of the full length mirror. Her carefully applied make up remained perfectly in place on her soft and delicate skin. It was funny how when people were around, Emma felt herself enveloped in an almost super human strength, one that did not give way to tears and that was more concerned about how the others were holding up. However in private the façade would crumble and she would give in to earth shattering sobs and floods of tears.

"Emma...how you holding up?"

She could see the reflection of Jerry "Rev" Harris, a close friend and former teammate of Gerry.

"I'm fine, Rev. Thank you for asking. Are you okay?"

He was amazed by her fortitude.

"As well as to be expected. Listen Emma, I was thinking, maybe you should go back to the house for a while. I could drive you. You should lie down."

"Lie down? Rev, my husband's funeral is in a few hours."

"I know that so that's why you should probably try to get some rest now. There are going to be lots of people around and stuff. I just wanted you to have your strength. I'm worried about you...we all are."

"I know", she sighed. "I really appreciate that. You and everyone have been so kind to me but I'm okay. I don't need to lie down. Everyone has been trying to get me to rest and have the doctor give me a sedative and everything else you can imagine since this happened. But I don't need any of that, Rev. What I needed was to plan this funeral so my husband could have the dignified, honorable service that he deserves. I did that now all I need to do is be by his side for the final time."

Rev nodded as there was no use in arguing and the last thing he wanted to do was upset the young widow even more. She was hurting and how could she not be? The pain was plain to see on her face but so was the love. With a deep breath, she adjusted the dark widow's veil over her face and proceeded out to the front of the funeral home. It was overflowing with mourners, some faces Emma hadn't seen since high school. Walking up to the open coffin, she placed a final kiss on Gerry's lips before kneeling down to pray. Then it was off the limousine, the one that would follow the hearse to the church for the service.

"You gather today as friends and family to say "Good-bye" to one who has been an important part of your lives in your inner circle. God gave him to you and blessed you in many ways through him. And now God has called him away from you to stand before Him", the minister said.

Emma's eyes focused on the casket a few feet in front of her. It was a dark color but made of strong oak. Jean had had other suggestions when they had gone to pick coffins but Emma would hear none of it. The oak casket was strong and simple...just like Gerry had been and now she couldn't take her eyes off of it. She couldn't make herself look at anything not else, not at the preacher, who was the same man that had married them and not even at the sobbing mother in law beside her.

"Closest to the surface in these days, of course, will be the deep sense of sorrow and loss. Life will be different for you because of the passing of your beloved Gerry. There will be an empty spot that only time and changing circumstance – and the grace of God – can fill. The loss of a loved one brings us to a clear awareness that life really finds meaning and purpose in the interaction between us and those who are near and dear to us. That's what makes loss and grief so real and so penetrating. But standing near is a heavenly Father, awaiting our invitation to apply His own healing to our hurt, and promising us an interaction with Him that gives our lives their ultimate meaning and purpose. That's what's behind the Bible's assurance that God works for good in everything for those who love Him, those who are called according to His purpose."

The minister preached a beautiful sermon. Of course the church was filled with a sense of sadness but Emma knew in her heart that Gerry would not want people to be sad for very long. He'd want them to move on and remember the happy times. What Gerry would have wanted had been the one main motivation as Emma planned the service. It was time for her to address the guests though several friends and family members, worried about her health and emotional state, had advised her not to. Before walking in front of the church she stared down one last time at the hand written notes she had scribbled on flash cards. As she stood, she left them intentionally on the pew. Emma decided to speak to people the way Gerry always did...right from the heart.

"Gerry Bertier was a pure soul and a kind spirit and the absolute love of my life", Emma began with a deep breath. "He was a wonderful husband and son and a loving friend and neighbor. A kind and decent human being who was adored by his family and friends and community alike. A man who worked hard up until the day he died to always set a positive example and make an honest living. He was my strongest supporter, the greatest friend, the best lover...my provider, my partner and caretaker..."

Emma felt like she was trapped in a bad movie. The scene didn't seem real, none of it did. For the first time she felt like she might lose in front of everyone. It was all she could do to keep it together but it was hard. It was unfair that she would have to eulogize her husband. Gerry was gone...and never coming back. The reality finally began to sink in as Emma's voice caught with emotion. Gallantly she attempted to continue but the sobs kept getting in the way. As she broke down, she felt a large but comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Julius whose own eyes were filled with tears. He took her hand in his and continued because he knew she could not.

"I guess we can't say enough good things about Gerry. He was and always will be my best friend. The guy was truly one in a million but I think everybody here knows that. As sad as today is, I just look out on all these faces, some I haven't seen in years and it warms me to know that so many people loved Gerry and that they came to pay final respects. I still can't believe he's really gone but I know in my heart I will love and miss him forever. We have come as far as we can go today with Gerry but the legacy he left is one that will live on inside of all of us. Let us come not with tears but with smiles as we reflect on the good times and the memories we all share. As we take him to his final rest today, I look back and remember with love the kind of person he was. I think of the many lives he touched in his short time and those that touched him. Some...some men strive to accomplish extraordinary feats in this world that make them great men. Everybody saw Gerry that way except Gerry. He just saw himself as a simple man who worked hard and loved his wife and family, somebody who cherished his friends and never made excuses for himself or let any obstacles get in his way. A lot of people, many in this room probably, held Gerry to a higher standard than most folks. Well that was because we saw him be better than most...time and time again. He was a real stand up guy, a decent human being. Every single moment of our lives comes from grace realized. Some men look at the world and ask why. Gerry never did. Instead he looked at things that never were and things some thought never could be and he asked why not. I remember one time in particular after he won a gold medal at the Wheelchair games, a reporter interviewed him and called him a hero for defying the odds. He called him a great man. Gerry looked him right in the eye and said, 'Sir, I'd rather be a good man than a great one'. That was our Gerry, my Superman...humble, modest and blessed. Today we remember him as he was...hoping, loving, inspiring and forever."

There wasn't a dry eye in the church following Julius' speech. The crowd watched as Gerry Bertier's widow and best friend embraced. Julius, like a rock, stood by her through the rest of the service onto the burial at the cemetery. The original '71 Titans, Coach and Mrs. Boone, Coach and Sheryl Yoast stood at the gravesite with Jean and Emma as their fallen hero was laid to rest right beside his infant son. There was a moment of silence finally broken by Julius who began the song, "Nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey, hey good bye." It was the infamous chant the football players used during that first season at T.C. Williams. It seemed appropriate as all said they're final good byes and the very young and beautiful widow knelt down and kissed the graves of her son and husband.

"I thought I might find you here", Julius whispered.

The sky had long grown dark and it was hours after the service but Emma couldn't make herself leave that spot.

"I can't leave", she said quietly. "Not my Gerry."

"I understand", he said as he put an arm around her. "Superman is gone and things will never be the same."

"I feel so empty Julius, like my life is over. Now I get to spend the rest of my life waiting for it to really be over."

"Don't say that, Emma. I can't even imagine how much you're hurting but you know Gerry would not want to see you like this."

"I know."

"Come on, it's getting chilly out. Let's get you home."

"Not yet", she sighed.

Julius nodded and took a breath. She wasn't quite ready to leave so he would stand with her, all night if that's what it took. In death, just like in life Emma remained by her husband's side...loving, loyal and strong.