When I was younger and would attend a funeral, the phrase “celebration of life” instead of “funeral” didn’t do much to ease any sorrow or pain.
I was too immersed in either my own sadness or the sadness of others to feel like death could ever have a hint of celebration.
I have attended three funerals this year that changed my perspective.
All three deaths were unexpected and sudden.
All three died way too young.
All three had a celebration of life that honored who they were, how they lived and how they will be remembered.
One was a cowboy, whose funeral procession shut down the streets with hundreds of men, women and children on horseback. His sons built an old pine box to lay him to rest as they knew he would never want anything more. His friends and family gathered around a campfire, shared a meal and told stories all night about the cowboy they loved.
Another was a beloved father, son, brother and friend who loved fishing, hard rock music and playing jokes on his eight siblings. The pastor said it was the only funeral where more laughter and stories were shared than tears, where Guns and Roses blared out of the church and Chiefs gear was worn by all.
It seems there isn’t anything more jarring than death to make us take a long look our lives and think about what is really important.
I realize that sounds like a cliché, but as you are reading this, take a step back and ask yourself….
Did you do something today that you would want to be remembered for?
Are the things that seem so pressing and important today going to even be remembered a few years from now?
Are you enjoying the time with your kids, your spouse, your extended family and your friends?
Are you rushing through each day just trying to get things done and check it off your to-do list?
We are all guilty of that sometimes, of course. I know I am.
Whenever I have a moment to slow down and think, however, I try to focus on how my life is impacting others.
I hope I am focusing more on being a blessing to others than on being blessed.
I hope I have spent every day focusing on the things that matter.
I hope I learn to let go of the endless list of relatively unimportant tasks that steal my attention, time and efforts each day.
I hope I am living in a way that when it is time to celebrate my life, there is more laughter and funny stories shared than tears.
We each deserve a last celebration that honors who we were and how we lived.
Right now is our opportunity to earn it.