The phone rang. I was informed that Klaus had died. After a few additional phone calls, we had organized a small tribute for my friend.
    I had asked if I could use Klaus's trumpet for the songs at the funeral. I also asked if I could say something at the graveside. The funeral service went well and at the graveside, the minister said a few parting words and then he motioned to me.
  I looked at the grieving friends and family, including many grandchildren. Taking a deep breath I began, "Klaus was a great friend of mine who had a musical ear. I would love to tease him. Knowing that he had perfect pitch, I would look at a piece of music and purposely start running through the music before the band started but I would play it a step higher. Klaus, the conductor, would come over and tell me gently, 'George, you're playing it in the wrong key.' Another time, the band knew that it was Klaus's 65th birthday so I wrote up the music for 'Happy Birthday' for the band. We were ready to play some march or something and Klaus motioned to begin. The band started a song completely opposite to what he wanted. Suddenly, he caught on to what we were doing. We all enjoyed a good hearty laugh."
   "Klaus taught me how to play trumpet when I was about 12 years old. Now I have the honor of playing trumpet for his funeral. With his perfect pitch, he could pick out a note and know exactly where it was on the piano. This is something I don't have. Being a Christian, Klaus now has perfect peace in Heaven. But Klaus on earth carried his cross. This trumpet was the cross that he carried. With his gift he could create music. There is a song written by Ray Boltz called, Take Up Your Cross. The words are very suitable for us."

   I laid the trumpet on his coffin and stepped away. Many people were touched and even a child whispered to his mom, "Are they going to bury Grandpa's trumpet too?"
   As the family shared their last few minutes together, a young grandson went to the coffin and picked up the trumpet. It was his desire to learn how to play. It was less than a year later when he played his grandfather's trumpet with the Youth Band.
   Friend, you may not have the talent to play trumpet. But are you carrying your cross and following Jesus? In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." That cross is not as heavy as the garbage and baggage that may exist in your path. In Matthew 11:30 Jesus says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Follow Him today.