This is what I could not articulate at the funeral. If all of us keep him in our hearts, and keep our memories of him, then he truly will, in one way, live forever. Be not sad for his passing, but instead be happy for his accomplishments, and keep fond memories of him in your hearts.
I am also glad that he knew it was his time, and was okay with that concept. He will be missed, I will certainly not argue against that, but he accomplished what he was put here to accomplish, and I, personally, am glad that he was able to do that. My point is that this is not a time to be sad, but a time to be joyous. He was blessed with living a very long life, and he passed some of his wisdom and knowledge on to each of us in his own way.
Grandpa lived a full life, and learned the lessons that he was put here to learn. No matter how sad, no person can do anything to change that. These lessons differ from person to person, and when each person has learned their lessons, their time is up. Each person is put on this Earth to learn certain lessons. There is a lesson that I learned earlier this year when a very good friend of mine passed away, and it was at the time, the only thing that helped me get through it. He and Don were talking about something, and right before I left, he said something to us, although Don could not understand what he was saying at the time. During that visit, I was in his room talking to him with Donald. When grandpa first got very sick, I came up to see him in the hospital. Sharing the experience which has given closure to me already. It is my hope that I can help some people gain a sense of closure by The second purpose is that those of us who have already gained closure be there to help the others who have not. The first is so that each person can gain a sense of closure regarding a situation which, to many of us, seems quite senseless. The motions that people go through during these times serve one of two purposes. I felt like sharing it with the rest of you.įlying home on the plane from New Orleans this weekend, I had a few hours to think, and I came to a few general conclusions. The following will be read at my granfather's funeral today. Hang your arm out the car window and let the breeze catch your hair, let the breeze take you away. She didn't always like to show how she felt but she felt plenty.
Wouldn't all of us love to know we left something meaningful behind us? Wouldn't we all love knowing we had planted such a strong seed? Not just a desire to enjoy life, but an actual example of how to start over with pizazz. I will think about her often as I drive up and down the highway, because I know she spent so much of the last few years on the road, to class, work and ultimately the doctors. That misplaced confidence is what I will take with me. It never occurred to her that things could go badly for her. She seemed energized by what she called her "second childhood" and was delighted that she could find new ways of looking at the world. She made her way through the world at a speed we envied and many of us had a sense of wonder as she plowed through her schoolwork. She loved her family, laughed and made others laugh.
She is no longer with us, but allow me to talk about how alive she is.