Love Actually is...all around us.

They do say that death usually happens in 3's...and this past month or so, there have been 3 people who've been a part of my life and my family's lives who have died. People from my old church, who became like family to us when we didn't have our 'own' family around us. Today was the funeral of a man who has been so loved by our family, and so many others for so many years. Ralph. Him and his wife have had the sweetest marriage, and he has left behind an enormous family and collection of friends, as witnessed by such a huge gathering of people saying their good-bye's to this kind, dear man. Its always sad when someone leaves this world, even though I know he's in a world so much greater now, where he isn't suffering the effects of sickness and pain on a weary body...All the pictures we saw yesterday of him and his wife of 60+ years, holding hands, kissing, arms around each other...is an inspiration and reminder of the fact that there ARE still good and happy marriages, full of love and devotion to one another. Its easy to get discouraged these days, when there is so much pain and chaos in the world around us, broken marriages and families, sickness and disease, disasters, financial crisis...and while valid causes for discouragement, I can't help but be reminded that LOVE ACTUALLy is...all around us. Remember the opening scene from the movie Love Actually? Watch this. Never mind the Spanish subtitles. But, I think of this scene often when I hear about all the sad, terrible things happening, and am reminded that Love Actually is...all around us.