Reflections on a Celebration of Life

Living in the Now

Today was one of those days that catches you up short.  It started out with laundry and breakfast and walking the dogs, quite ordinary.  Then it was about quarter after eleven and I realized I needed to get showered and shaved and on my way to Fallbrook...about an hour's drive south from here for a memorial service for a the mother of a good friend.  And, dang, if I didn't remember I was short on gas in the car and nearly run out on the way.

Anyway, I arrived about ten minutes late, afraid I missed something.  I did.  The memorial candles had been lit, the proceeds had begun.  And I have to say, this was an amazing service...a real celebration of life.

I didn't know the woman who passed away, but I do know her son and daughter-in-law.  I went because I wanted to be there for them.  But, amazingly, I came away glad for me, my myself, for having gone.  It was a peek inside a family where love and respect is king.  I found myself envying them.  And it was the first time in a while that I didn't find myself wondering about my own funeral, about whether anyone would come.  No, I didn't think about that at all.  I just found myself meditating on what love is, what family is, what it means to live a full, satisfying life.  I found it this afternoon at this sharing of memories and family that love can get you through most anything.  There is nothing like the true love of a spouse, a parent, a grandparent, a friend.  It was truly lovely to see it manifest in what was a life well lived.  I am inspired to think that someday the same will be said of us all.

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