The Life Of A Legacy...

Sometimes it is hard to be mindful of a mighty oak standing alone in the shade of its branches. But when a vast number of people gather together under one tree, with its shade stretching out still far beyond, it becomes apparent ... the significance of its size. So it was at the service for Dale Morfitt who died January 28, 2007.

It was good to see so many faces. Many faces that through Dale Morfitt , had become my caring friends and loved ones. His family glowed with a covering of peace and grace that only comes from the infilling and anointing of the Holy Spirit. A convoy of cars formed a lengthy procession that extended down the hill beyond view. A picture board was set up in the receiving room. One picture stood out to me. A picture of Dale standing midway up a long, white staircase. He was looking down, waving and smiling. Serenity settled over me as my eyes embraced this picture.

Sue Foreman and I walked arm and arm to pay our respects accompanied by tears of sorrow and of joy. Dale was dressed in a handsome suit reminding me how he had always honored Clarence Snyder’s belief that the Saturday night speaker should fit the privilege in good attire. A 43 year medallion rested upon Dale’s chest.

In the sanctuary, there were many empty rows on the left toward the front. My husband Dale and I sat with Steve and Sue Foreman and Mike and Gail Lewandowski several rows back on the right side. When all of those attending were seated, the Morfitt family entered. Everyone stood. There were so many ... and all of the empty rows were filled. Dale and Carol Morfitt have five children. Four of their children are married with families amassing twenty grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

What happened over the next 2 hours would deepen in my heart and every heart there, the reality and magnitude of our inheritance. As the first of many family members began to speak at the podium, snow began to fall. The sanctuary on all three sides has windows creating the illusion that we were in the midst of the falling snow. The Morfitt family in various assemblies, sang beautiful arrangements. From the first family member to give testimony until the last and smallest child, the picture was clear. The grace of God through Alcoholics Anonymous had fully penetrated an entire family, forever changing and propelling their lives in ways that were indeed miraculous. It was as though an accumulation of the Walton’s, the Von Trap family from the Sound of Music, and a host of angelic beings had formed before our eyes bearing witness unto the Lord.

Dale and Carol’s pastor gave testimony of how Dale was truly empowered by the grace of God, allowing him to generate in the hearts of those he met the feeling that you were unique, important and so very special. Pastor Randy sang one of Dale’s favorite songs, “It’s A Wonderful World”. The words to this song were suddenly and overwhelmingly gripping. Three people representing the Florida contingent were asked to share as well. Listening to Steve Foreman, Mike Lewandowski and Dale Barker share their thoughts and feelings illustrated how far reaching the love of God and AA through Dale Morfitt had spread.

Dale’s eldest son Gene asked us to stand. He asked us to raise one arm above our heads and then the other, too. Gene said this was the stance his father Dale had taken 3 times from his bed before he left for his reward. His description of these final moments allowed us a glimpse of what Dale Morfitt experienced ... the realm of heaven and earth converging upon a man's soul. Dale’s daughter Joanne shared with us how her mother Carol was at Dale’s side singing tenderly, every love song she had ever sung to him in their 50 plus years together. A bed was pulled up next to Dale’s so that Carol could lie by his side. When the death rattle began, the Morfitt family gathered around Dale to sing Amazing Grace. At this service the whole family gathered again to sing Amazing Grace to us just as they had sung it for Dale in his final moment. They sang this song in a very high key that I could not distinguish. Their voices resounding and harmonizing as though a heavenly host accompanied them. The congregation stood ... we raised our hands ... we tried to sing ... we could not ... for we were being sung to, ministered to ... by family, friends and angels, and the life of a legacy.

In memory of Dale Morfitt in the circumference of true A.A. and the Spiritual Program Retreat. Never will you see a man fail who has thoroughly followed this path.

~ Stephanie C. S. Barker ~