Remembrance

Just a little follow-up on the previous. 

Grandma passed on the early morning of July 3rd.  Through a series of unforseen and hardly predictable events, the family decided to have a graveside gathering on Wednesday July 17th.  I was asked to bring a little something to say.  In attendance were my mom, my two uncles and one aunt, my sister and her husband, my brother and his wife, a niece and one of her children, my daughter and two granddaughters, and my wife. 

In the middle of Florida National (Veterans) Cemetery in Bushnell Florida, we said prayers, we shared memories, we laughed, we were reminded that here in this world we have no continuing city and that we are looking for something eternal, we sang, we said good-bye and we were glad.  Then we went to have lunch.

What really took place was that we were reminded that life is not over when someone stops breathing and slips quietly from this world.  It continues in the living remembrance of all that person did and gave.   We live our lives in community and in a network of relationships.  Proper remembrance is not in some personal office space in a quiet moment between duties.   Proper remembrance and gratitude is in community and in a network of relationships. 

May we each be so remembered.

Today's Influences and Soundtrack:
C.S. Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet
Michael W. Smith, Leesha