Last week, I laid to rest an elderly Uncle of mine. He started to go downhill so quickly and suddenly, he was gone.
It's a strange time. There is sadness and yet joy because I know that he is no longer suffering. It's meeting with loved ones - some who I know very well and others who are like acquaintances and yet, there we all are. We all have this one person in common. We take the time to catch up, perhaps share a memory or two, sometimes laughing and sometimes crying. It almost feels surreal because it happens so quickly. The person is alive and suddenly, you are making funeral plans and then it is over. Everyone who came from out of town is gone again and all is quiet. The only concrete memories I have of that time is some dishes that need to be returned to some precious folk that brought us meals.
I feel a little like I'm in a fog right now but I do know that the memories of last week will stay with me. There are so many extraordinary people that surround me in my life. My Uncle was a bit of a hermit and had his oddities but his legacy was kindness. Everyone spoke of and remembered him for that. "Never a harsh word". What a precious memory he has left us with of him! But I also want to focus on those amazing people in my life - both family and friends - that are here now and still very much with me. I want to look at them and see the good in them. I want to encourage them and bless them while they can still hear me.
We all have this opportunity everyday. Let's not wait until the funeral. Let's start blessing those around us with positive words of how they impact us now, today!
It's a strange time. There is sadness and yet joy because I know that he is no longer suffering. It's meeting with loved ones - some who I know very well and others who are like acquaintances and yet, there we all are. We all have this one person in common. We take the time to catch up, perhaps share a memory or two, sometimes laughing and sometimes crying. It almost feels surreal because it happens so quickly. The person is alive and suddenly, you are making funeral plans and then it is over. Everyone who came from out of town is gone again and all is quiet. The only concrete memories I have of that time is some dishes that need to be returned to some precious folk that brought us meals.
I feel a little like I'm in a fog right now but I do know that the memories of last week will stay with me. There are so many extraordinary people that surround me in my life. My Uncle was a bit of a hermit and had his oddities but his legacy was kindness. Everyone spoke of and remembered him for that. "Never a harsh word". What a precious memory he has left us with of him! But I also want to focus on those amazing people in my life - both family and friends - that are here now and still very much with me. I want to look at them and see the good in them. I want to encourage them and bless them while they can still hear me.
We all have this opportunity everyday. Let's not wait until the funeral. Let's start blessing those around us with positive words of how they impact us now, today!