You know I've been to few funerals this year and looking around I always see old faces that I've not seen in years. Some crying, some catching up and some just wondering what is the proper amount of time one should stay for the sake of propriety. The mix of emotion and intent is something worthy of observation because here is where you find out a few things. You get to see "markers"...both good and bad. You have your supporters, your well-wishers and the truly touched. Those that were eternally "marked" by the person everyone has officially come to bid farewell to. Who shows up and why says a lot...
So I ask...what about mine? What will my funeral look like? Will there be more well wishers than people I touched? Who will cry in earnest? I'm talking about those that would cry not over the cliqued expression "a light has left the world" but tears streaming over the fact that my absence would be leaving a void in their heart for real. I could name the ones I'm sure about and the ones I'm not so sure about anymore. I think back on what I remember most about someone when I've gone to their funeral and it's usually nothing grand. It's usually just a word, a deed or a gesture. Some moment that just stands out. Yet sometimes, very rarely, it couldn't be more grand. What I remember most...was their life. Lives filled with availability and honor. The kind of availability that says "I am here for you if you need me and I require nothing in return" and honor that speaks volumes about character...revealed and hidden. I wonder sometimes if my life is worth the tears some would cry. What of myself have I left behind? What will be remembered of me? What did God think of my seen and unseen steps? It's truly an ageless question because no matter how old you are, you leave markers. Some good, some bad but make no mistake about it...you leave markers. Everyday you have the chance to grow and be better. Everyday the art that is you or even in you has the opportunity to inspire and leave behind something good that outlives you..that can even outgrow you. It's a question for anyone that has breath because at any age, that breath is fragile and when you least expect it...it can be taken from you.
So I encourage you folks...do the best you can. Be more than what you are. Push for the virtues that you don't have and strive for the unreachable perfection of a dream. Make me cry with your artistry, make me laugh with your jokes. Make me thankful for your advice and grateful that you listened to me for that whole hour and a half. Be so much more because when your improvement in character is sincere...you have no choice but to be selfless. I will remember you...I hope you will remember me...
So I ask...what about mine? What will my funeral look like? Will there be more well wishers than people I touched? Who will cry in earnest? I'm talking about those that would cry not over the cliqued expression "a light has left the world" but tears streaming over the fact that my absence would be leaving a void in their heart for real. I could name the ones I'm sure about and the ones I'm not so sure about anymore. I think back on what I remember most about someone when I've gone to their funeral and it's usually nothing grand. It's usually just a word, a deed or a gesture. Some moment that just stands out. Yet sometimes, very rarely, it couldn't be more grand. What I remember most...was their life. Lives filled with availability and honor. The kind of availability that says "I am here for you if you need me and I require nothing in return" and honor that speaks volumes about character...revealed and hidden. I wonder sometimes if my life is worth the tears some would cry. What of myself have I left behind? What will be remembered of me? What did God think of my seen and unseen steps? It's truly an ageless question because no matter how old you are, you leave markers. Some good, some bad but make no mistake about it...you leave markers. Everyday you have the chance to grow and be better. Everyday the art that is you or even in you has the opportunity to inspire and leave behind something good that outlives you..that can even outgrow you. It's a question for anyone that has breath because at any age, that breath is fragile and when you least expect it...it can be taken from you.
So I encourage you folks...do the best you can. Be more than what you are. Push for the virtues that you don't have and strive for the unreachable perfection of a dream. Make me cry with your artistry, make me laugh with your jokes. Make me thankful for your advice and grateful that you listened to me for that whole hour and a half. Be so much more because when your improvement in character is sincere...you have no choice but to be selfless. I will remember you...I hope you will remember me...
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