Bereavement. Yesterday, this BB attended final services for the father of a close friend. Not a sad occasion, as the elderly man lived a full life of 85 years surrounded by loved ones and died peacefully in his sleep. No, this occasion was more a celebration of a life - tables adorned with youthful photos and mementos of a life well-lived, laughter, reminiscense, and family members gathering for photos.
As I navigated my way to the services with crumpled newspaper in hand, another obituary caught my eye when I paused at a red light. A thirty-year-old woman had also died peacefully in her sleep. Reading further, I realized this woman worked at my local Barnes and Noble bookstore and on several occasions made recommendations and cheerfully cashed out my purchases. How many times had this pretty young woman and I crossed paths in the last six months? Never would I have taken her for someone near enough to death to pass away unexpectedly in her sleep. I could only imagine how different the funeral of such a young woman would be from the one I was about to attend. The contrast between this death and the death of my friend's father haunted me all day and prevented my own peaceful slumber last night.
The lessons in a lost night's sleep? Spend each day in pursuit of a life well-lived; don't waste time worrying about what others are doing, thinking, or possessing. Don't hold grudges, harbor resentments, withhold forgiveness. Love the ones you're with and spend time with them instead of "getting ahead" at work or home. Cherish your friendships. Tell your parents and siblings how you feel about them. Share memories, money, food, and your time. Make a life free of regrets. Wake up early and relish the time you have - regardless of how much you get, it will never be enough.
D.
As I navigated my way to the services with crumpled newspaper in hand, another obituary caught my eye when I paused at a red light. A thirty-year-old woman had also died peacefully in her sleep. Reading further, I realized this woman worked at my local Barnes and Noble bookstore and on several occasions made recommendations and cheerfully cashed out my purchases. How many times had this pretty young woman and I crossed paths in the last six months? Never would I have taken her for someone near enough to death to pass away unexpectedly in her sleep. I could only imagine how different the funeral of such a young woman would be from the one I was about to attend. The contrast between this death and the death of my friend's father haunted me all day and prevented my own peaceful slumber last night.
The lessons in a lost night's sleep? Spend each day in pursuit of a life well-lived; don't waste time worrying about what others are doing, thinking, or possessing. Don't hold grudges, harbor resentments, withhold forgiveness. Love the ones you're with and spend time with them instead of "getting ahead" at work or home. Cherish your friendships. Tell your parents and siblings how you feel about them. Share memories, money, food, and your time. Make a life free of regrets. Wake up early and relish the time you have - regardless of how much you get, it will never be enough.
D.
Beautiful
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