Life..........................It's funny, the way we look at things when we think we have all the time in the world to accomplish your dreams. As children we only live day to day, each day is brand new and we accomplish what ever we feel like doing. As we learn new things every day of our life, we become more responsible for more things. In grade school we learned to read, write and become sociable. Those years in school added new events for us to celebrate, dances, field trips, sports etc. All of which broadened our outlook on life itself.
We as a family are nearing the death of yet another relative. That is when death really starts to look you right in the face, sometimes laughing at you, daunting you with all the things that are yet to be accomplished in your life. When and how do we decide what things are more important, things that need completing. they are thinking I may have a year yet to live..plenty of time! We question do our families really need that extra room, that yard work finished?
Or do they need to know that no matter what happens that we are there for them. I begin to remember the vows that most of us took when we got married. Not very easy words then or now.
"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."
Wow it almost hurts to read those words right now! Death so near, families so far from loving and cherishing each other. I believe that those words were meant for the WHOLE family, the husband, wife, children, extended family. Because I feel our extended family as just as much a part of our lives as our biological family. We do need each other, from the beginning of our marriage, my motto was............. become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 Not an easy task then or now. It was a daily struggle for me.
Stress is at an all time high within our extended family, any word can be construed as a harsh statement. Some people within the family are not going to be allowed to come to the memorial service. Others are not going to attend stating that "they do not want to cause a scene." How do you delicately talk to anyone in this situation? You don't! They want you to talk to them, but are literally on the edge. Too close for comfort, any word could send them off the edge. Then the scene has begun.
But everyone needs some type of closure for this event. We each need to find that closure for ourself.
" Life is too short............let me repeat that..........LIFE IS TOO SHORT!
Words of comfort.............................
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. Leo Buscaglia
Please...God................
help us through this process
of death!
