Passages

Attended a visitation/funeral Sunday. Our first home in Wheaton, Ill. In 1971 gained us first neighbors Jerrie and Terry. We had two children there, and they had four. Through the years we have remained in touch, the kids more closely than the adults. The first house, neighborhood, kids and their neighborhood and school friends.

Jerrie was 77. My ex, Ann, is 78. I’m 80, nearly 81. A life of years come and gone. Each year unique and important. The connection to others enhanced those in our own household. We were not alone then, or now. We are in relationships – community – with others, many others. And that is important.

Yes, the gathering on Sunday was sad but also joyous. Many of the people had not seen one another for many years. They – we – knew of each other and their life events, but we had not been in touch. So many changes but the relationships from then to now remain. They recall a past well lived. They define a new present we must learn to live into. It just is. This is the cycle of life. This is how we learn and grow wisdom if we pay attention.

I sat for a while waiting for my family to arrive in its bits and pieces and observed the others in attendance. So many people. Young and old. The latter looked like me. So many walkers in use. So much gray hair, and baldness! But facial recognition remained. This a grandson or grandnephew, here a granddaughter or grandniece. Here was a brother or sister-in-law. Generations of family and friends. Easy to spot who belonged in which family camp. Each with a story of self and family unit. Interesting.

We have lost all our parents. We are next in line to leave. But the relationships remain. So do the memories. So do the life cycles that support each of our stories. And I guess that is the point. The meaning of life really, is what we do with our time on earth, and the relationships we build. The memories of happenings come automatically. The oddities and laugh lines, too. Remember when… and then the chuckles and guffaws. Simple things. Usual things.  The things we think matter do not – the houses, wardrobes, cars and whatnot of wealth. None of that really matters. It is the person-to-person connections that matter. Always has, always will be.

And that is the point of this blog today. What is important is often not viewed in our minds or eyes. What is important in life is what we do with it. Most of that record is in the people we know, knew and remember.

Something to think of on this winter morning. Pleasant thoughts!

February 28, 2024