So I spent tonight with my friend whose father died last week. It was special. We looked through pictures and laughed about the happy memories together and for this person I’ve never met, I suddenly feel like I missed something by not knowing him.
We looked through scads of pictures and in nearly every one, they were touching each other, smiling (not just at the camera) and looking in each photograph like they just shared the most precious moment together. It may not seem like much, but take 100-150 pictures of your family and see what’s there. Joy? Tolerance? Obligation? Unconditional love?
We addressed envelopes for the memorial service invitations. There were loads because this was a missionary family and they had been a kajillion places and knew a kajillion other missionaries. But the number of people at your funeral isn’t important - if there is only one person there out of true and sincere love for you, it is better than 1,000 who show up out of obligation.
What I thought was particularly memorable is that there was so much joy surrounding them even in grief. Hmm. The joy that surpasses understanding? Seems I’ve read that somewhere. Maybe that is a by-product of not having any regrets; words unspoken between each other.
I am happy that this family has so many happy memories of this wonderful, dedicated man. I am happy that he lived a life of love for his Savior and his family that they can celebrate his life and not mourn his passing. I am happy that he was so special that his family has happy memories even of his illness. My friend was telling me a story about something her father said and she just started laughing and then she said “those were good times.”
Always see the silver lining.