When you are experiencing someone who is at the ending days of their life, it makes you remember to try not to live your own life focused on the trivial stuff. When you see someone who is closing their life out, you realize all that mattered was the experiences, the passions and the relationships that the person had and shared. The things that we often put a lot of focus on in our lives, such as our worries, our grievances, our stuff, our appearances, our righteousness, etc. really holds so little meaning in the end of it all. As hard as it is to watch someone fade, perhaps the final gift which they give to us, is the reminder to keep our minds, our actions, and our lives, on what really matters – savoring our every moment, and while doing so, staying in the spirit of love and awe and gratefulness for the miracle of life.
Are you passing on love or are you passing on pain? Heal your pain and pass on love.
Kelly,
I remember that when my grandmother passed way, it had a profound effect on me. My grandmother and I were buddies….we were friends…and even though I felt I lost her to Alzheimer’s years before her physical body failed, her funeral touched me in a new & significant way. I remember standing by her, and thanking her. My deepest thoughts were of thanks to her.
When my father passed away in August, I remember the same feeling of gratitude as I stood beside him. I went home and wrote down all the small & truly significant ways my life, and who I am are thanks to him.
Maybe my comments are a bit deep in response to your blog, but I wanted to share that with you.
For me, to stand along the ones I love and be able to thank them for the tremendous ways they’ve shaped and molded me though words & experiences & how they, themselves have helped me to grow & change and mold me into the person I am, are truly the gifts they leave behind for us.
I always like to think that when we speak of them, that brings them back to life…and I love having good things to say!
I am blessed!!!
I am thinking of you and holding you close in thought and prayer!
Thank you, Joan. I read recently that same sentiment – a person stays alive until no one speaks of them again. That’s what is so precious about family lore. Thank you for sharing your beautiful moments with your family members.