What Comes After

 September 9th, we held a memorial event for Rocky. A one-hour visitation followed by a worship service, and that followed by lunch. Roughly 200+ visitors came at the beginning, about 100 remained for the service, and 80 stayed for lunch.

The interaction of the participants was excellent. So many different chapters of Rocky’s life were represented by family and friends gathered over nearly 80 years.

The event was planned by many and worked by those same good folks. Like the months preceding his death, volunteers, family and friends – including terrific neighbors – helped in every way possible. The financial cost was shared as well. In short, so much is owed to so many for all the support they provided.

Thank you for all of that. You know who you are! For family, your efforts are so very much appreciated. Thank you. And from me? Incalculable relief that came with all your help, your dollars, your meals, your time and your labor. Thank you to each of you.

Together we are several villages, all pulling in the same direction to help each other out. You and we together are a blessing.

And now the rest of the story as it unfolds. What it will be is just that, what will be. A mystery unfolding informed only by life experiences. Each of us is the sum of all that we have lived before. That is why it is a mystery and so fascinating. A story to come, to be, to unfold.

It is in the living that we learn and grow. Such a simple thought but true. The advice of a parent or friend, neighbor or grandparent comes from living and observing. It cannot be any other way. And that is the way it is, too.

Learning to live without significant others is such an experience to learn from. A deep breath, a pause for poise, then movement toward the next task and experience. This is something we fear, but it should also excite us to possibilities. That is the lure of tomorrow. For us who remain alive, we respond to the lure.

GSafford, September 19, 2023

 

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