Pondering Thoughts

I went to a funeral this week with my parents...Lori, Janet and I grew up as young girls - spending most Sunday afternoons at each other's homes. There we got to see what family life was like in different places, and I must say I think we all had pretty normal, happy families. All of our parents are still married and we all came from Christian homes. Lucky for us kids I think...well, Lori is the first of us to loose one of our parents. I took the day off of work so that I could go to the funeral. It was sad, yet good to see so many people that I haven't seen in a long time. Lori's mom, Ginny, really loved the Lord and the legacy that she leaves behind in her family is amazing - all 3 kids have grown up and still go to church and serve.

Being reminded of how fragile life is does make one stop and think... I had conversation with my parents as we drove to the funeral about what they wanted for their services and where they wanted to be buried (here in So. Cal or Ohio). I didn't get a whole lot of real answers from them...but my dad did comment on how Ginny's services were so nice - not without hope, not with lots of crying or wailing, not with just an empty death...but of a celebration of a life well lived and of the promise that Ginny is in Heaven - called by her name by Jesus to go there. Where people were reminded that this isn't the end, but just another step to eternity. I think that is what my dad wants - to reassure those that come to celebrate his life that it isn't as sad and horrible as people think - but a passing to a better place.

I also stopped to think - what do I want....of course I want that type of promising service...and I would like - flowers (don't know why, I just think they are lovely), and I think I need to be in more family photos in case a slide show is made (I tend to be the photographer not the photographed), and I want lots of people there (again I don't know why since I won't really be there). I guess as I stop I think...I want to know that I've made a difference in this life, that I've touched people, that people won't forget me, that people will say I was 'good and right', that patients will come, that there will be lots of baby pictures in my slide show, that people will be happy as they think of me.

It is sad to think that we spend so much time rushing around doing useless things and working so hard for things that we can't take with us. I saw people at Ginny's funeral that I had not seen in years and it does make one stop and ponder...."what is really important in this life?" I want people to be important to me and to try and live a life that will make Jesus say "well done my good and faithful servant".....

May you rest in peace Ginny and I will see you again someday!