Precious Time

Has it really been 2 years since my last post???? Time seems to be moving faster. The children are both in double digit ages (yikes!). My husband and I have been married 18 years, and I love him more now than I ever have. I have a new beautiful neice who has been the bright light in our family. I made partner in my group. I turned 40 years old and have hit my midlife crisis, but happy anyway. Somehow, I got old. Today, I attended the funeral of a colleague’s adult son. We are all so saddened by this tragedy. Naturally, I am reminded of my family’s own loss from three years ago. There is an awkwardness that comes with attending the funeral. Many don't know what to say, what to wear, how to act. What is the right thing to do? My memory of that time surrounding my sister’s death and funeral is all a blur. I don’t remember what people wore, what day they came to visit, what kind of flowers they sent, even what people said or wrote. What I do remember is that people were there; that they flew in or drove in through the snow fall; that those who couldn’t make it reached out to us by sending cards, flowers, emails, messages, and prayers. What I do remember is how they made us feel loved and supported. That is what made such an impression on me. So if you ever find yourself attending memorial services, and don't know what to do, remember the wise words of Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”