"Wow, listen to this,"I said to my husband, "world traveller since she was six months old, citizen of the world, she has lived in 32 countries, married for only 2 short years...
or how about this one; suddenly at home at 34 years of age...devoted mother to Julie and late baby Islay," hmmm I murmur, "that is really sad."
I was seated beside my husband on the couch and was reading the obituaries. This is something I like to do when I read the paper.
My husband does not understand this at all -and finds it quite a rather morbid fascination.
I on the other hand find it to be an eye opening ,thought provoking and quite simply profound observation.
After all these are loved ones final assumptions of this person, and there is something about the tribute even if it's somebody I don't know, that can make me feel what is being conveyed.... whether that is shock, sorrow, tenderness, regret, remorse,pain,sadness, and also faith, hope and love.
A few carefully chosen words, sum up a life ,that now has come to an end.
It made me think about a poem that I found years ago...
A poignant reminder to me how important it is that the people I love; know it and I have cherished them while they were alive.
I hope you like it too, and it inspires you to love and appreciate and if necessary, mend fences quickly, as life does not carry a return policy.
DO IT NOW
If with pleasure you are viewing any work a man is doing,
If you like him or you love him, tell him now;
Don't withhold your approbation till the parson makes oration
And he lies with snowy lilies on his brow;
No matter how you shout it he won't really care about it;
He won't know how many teardrops you have shed;
If you think some praise is due him now's the time to slip it to him,
For he cannot read his tombstone when he's dead.
More than fame and more then money is the comment kind and sunny
And the hearty, warm approval of a friend.
For it gives to life a savor, and it makes you stronger, braver,
And it gives you heart and spirit to the end;
If he earns your praise - bestow it; if you like him let him know it;
Let the words of true encouragement be said;
Do not wait till life is over and he's underneath the clover,
For he cannot read his tombstone when he's dead.
--B. Braley
via
Love one another deeply,from the heart.
I Peter 1 : 22
