funerals

As far as funerals go...today's was definetely one of the nicest I've been to...a celebration of a lady who was so well loved, there were between 800 and 900 people who showed up to remember her at the visiting hours yesterday...and her oldest son's speech today brought such respect and love and emotion to the room, everyone was in tears, I'm sure. This family has been in my life for so long, and to be a part of their celebration and grieving today, just brought back so many memories, so much emotion from a time when life was just simpler...hanging out in my friend's basement, with his mother peeking her head in the room periodically to be sure we were all 'behaving' (which we always were!!), and family dinners, and just...being teenagers...I love that I have friends still to this day like this family of 4 boys, who lost their very well-loved mom today...and friends who have been in my life so long, they are like family to me. I am grateful to have had such a wonderful childhood and adulthood full of love and full of relationships that matter. I am blessed. And aware of the gift it is today to have my own mom, just minutes up the road, who was able to hug me and love me today...its a gift...I was reminded today, as I saw these 4 boys grieving for their mom, of how fortunate I am to have mine...

So...today, as I mourn for their loss, and count my own blessings...I say to you, as my pastor said to us today: TELL the ones you love how much you love them, what an impact they've had on your life...you do not know how many more times you will have that privelege.