To Live A Good Life...

I have some notes written down and yet I'm not even sure how to begin.  I've learned and thought so much this past week and it's churning over and over, around and around in my mind.  I still don't know where to go or what to do with what I have.  I only know that writing it is what I need to do.  I'm thankful for "copy" and "paste" to help me get this right...or maybe I'll be lucky enough to get it on my first try!

My week started off with a funeral.  I realize that sounds rather blunt and well, I find most things in this life aren't sugar coated for us.  My week started off with a funeral.  My dad's baby brother passed away after a short battle with cancer.  He was on this Earth for 80 years and worked in finish carpentry most of his life.  He volunteered with his church and his community as often as he could - sometimes even when times were tough and funds were low...

My mind wandered off a bit at this point of the service, I was thinking of my Uncle's family, my dad's brother, their brothers and sisters.  Thinking of my grandparents married and living in the little town of Lucas, MI, raising their nine children - 7 boys, 2 girls.  I was thinking how family grows up together in the same town, the same home, eating meals together, fishing The Clam River, sharing laughs - you hope.  This family grows up, grows older  moves on eventually marrying, moving away and starting their own families, spreading out.  Their kids grow up, move away...and the cycle continues.  I thought of my grandparents in their eternal resting place on the hill in McBain, close to where they started this whole family and those same nine children that started out in their home in Lucas - Marvin buried in the Grand Rapids area, Edith - I believe she is resting close to home in McBain, (and here I lose birth order) Clayton taking his sleep in Bay City, my dad in Manistee, Ray now in Jenison, Art back in McBain as well, and Gordon - I'm not sure where he is (He passed in Florida) but, I kept thinking how they were all born in the same place to the same parents, once together and now scattered about, yet always a family, though resting separately alone - yet my faith in God knows they are together again in heaven above.

I watched my Uncle Harold with his sister, my Aunt Dorothy and his sister-in-law, my Aunt Joanie.  He waited for them outside of the church to arrive.  He worried as they were a little later than he thought they should be.  He kept waiting until he knew they had arrived.  He walked in with them, stayed with them,escorted them to their seats, sat with them, helped Dorothy with her cane.  As long as I can remember they have been like this.  They were always close, watching over each other, getting together, making time for one another, they talk - they make the time.  I was so proud to be a part of them.  To call them my Aunts and Uncles.

I wandered back as Pastor spoke of my Uncle's gifts and his talents, his giving, his kindness and again, I looked at myself and the person I want to be.  I thought about ways to better myself, the gifts I can offer, the kindness I can extend as my Uncle had.  To give when it seems there isn't anything TO give. Pastor spoke of Uncle Ray's woodworking and asked for a show of hands from the people who had Uncle Ray's work in their homes.  It looked as if 90% of the congregation had their hands raised.  I thought of all of these people, touched by Uncle Ray and his kindness, his gentleness and at that point, I realized I wanted to live this way, I wanted people to speak of me, remember me, think of me this way.  I thought of my funeral and I want my eulogy to be full of kindness, positivity, generosity and even a bit of humility where it's due. I don't want you to only see the good deeds I've done, I want you to see the goodness that was my heart.  I want to be that goodness.  I want someone to walk away from my funeral wanting to live as I had.  A good life.

Rest in Peace sweet Uncle.  Thank you for one last lesson.