We’ll Play ‘Candyland’

We said good-bye to Dale on Saturday.  At the funeral, Nan Sweet and I read Romantic Period Literary Basketball together, which was so perfect since it had been inspired by her class. Two people asked me for my autogragh.  Dale would have loved that!

The minister did a great job of summing up Dale’s life.  It was one of the few times I’ve been to a funeral where I felt the minister was right on.  He really got Dale.

My sister says that I must have been channeling Dale’s spirit when I found myself making up alternative lyrics to the hymns that were sung during the service.  I honestly thought I heard the soloist sing the words “We’ll Play Candyland” instead of “We Shall Overcome” at one point.  And now I can’t get it out of my head. When I was alone in the car this morning, I actually sang it out loud.

We’ll play Can-dy-la-a-and
We’ll play Can-dy-la-a-and
We’ll play Can-dy-land
One day-ay-ay

O, deep in my heart,
I do believe
We’ll play Can-dy-land
One day….”

I’m not certain that Heaven exists. But I think that’s where Dale was heading when he left us on Tuesday. And I have to admit that I’ve wondered whether Dale was looking down on his funeral and orchestrating a few things: bringing Nan & I together for that reading, getting people to ask for my autograph, and whispering that silly, silly song in my ear. If there is a Heaven, and I get to go there, I do hope that Dale and I will play Candyland one day.