Those Left Behind

This morning I attended a memorial service for the mother of one of my flyball friends. He's the leader of the team and we thought it would be very special to him if the whole team showed up to the memorial service. I do believe he was truly touched we were all there. We took up two rows at the back of the room.

The memorial service was very interesting. Instead of somber music and crying, everyone was laughing, smilling, hugging family members not seen in a long time, and telling stories of their childhood. Family members got up one by one in front of the mike and told stories of how wonderful a person Sam's mom was. No mention of Alzheimers, no mention of her long battle with illness, no mention of the fall last year the caused her great pain and illness. Nothing. Just happiness, smiles, stories of meals shared, childhood hi-jinx, and the healing hands of a loving mother. It was really very touching. I would much rather be remembered that way than having people show up to sob, listen to depressing music, and listen to eulogies.

The main difference from the last memorial I went to is that this one celebrated someone who got to live their whole long life. the last service I went to was for someone who's life was cut short while riding their bike home from work (another family member of a flyball friend). That was a VERY somber service with lots of tears for a precious young life cut short. Very tragic.

So, in essense I guess they're services for different reasons. one tries to figure out why one was taken so young, while another celebrates a full life lived and all they shared with those they left behind. Either way we carry on.