Did you ever go to a funeral for someone you really didn’t know?
Before you ask, “Why would you go to a funeral for someone you didn’t know?”, I knew the family but I didn’t really know the man who died.
This week, a friend of mine from church had a death in her family and although I never really knew the man that died, I knew my friend and thought I should go and offer my condolences. As I sat there listening to people get up and tell stories about the deceased, I wished I HAD known him because he sounded like a really cool guy.
Life is so complicated yet so simple isn’t it? (I know, aren’t I saying two different things?) What I mean is that WE tend to make it so complicated and always look for signs and hidden meanings when… if you really look at it… it’s pretty simple. Love one another. Treat people decently. It’s about all we need to do.
I was never involved with all the people in this family but I could relate to most, if not all, of their stories. I could picture times when most of those things happened to me or one of my children. “Yeah we did that too!” Or, “I had an uncle who was just like that!” Similar life experiences though different people involved.
I had a lot of family in town a week ago for my daughter’s baby shower. Yes, my little girl is about to have a little boy. Where did the years go?
We had a houseful of people for a few days and it was wonderful. Not gonna lie: it was also enjoyable when they all went home and the house was quiet again but we had a nice visit.
One thing I noticed was even though we had people from here in Massachusetts, Vermont, Texas and even Southern California …. we were all pretty much the same. True it’s much hotter in Texas, colder in Vermont (they had more snow just a few days ago) and my friend from San Diego recently had an earthquake but we all have pretty much the same worries and concerns. The geography may be different but we care about the same things like family, their safety and providing for their needs.
Why am I hearing the chorus to “We Are The World” in my head?
I’m always interested in people and their stories. Everybody has a story to tell. Many of them are so relatable. It may not always be pretty but it’s what made you YOU.
As I reflect on that funeral I think, “That’s not a bad goal to have.”
What goal?
When people leave your funeral … what will they have to say about the life you lived?
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