You think you know someone until you read the obituary. A good obituary tells you about a person’s past, the care that a person had for others beyond one’s own family. This is especially true when you meet that person late in life. You only see the present, not the past that made that person someone special to the world around.
I first met Carol Ziegler at my son’s wedding in Connecticut when she became Keith’s mother-in-law. She had a wicked sense of humor. In her quiet way she commented on the world around her. I only saw her when I spent Christmas Day with my son and the family in Connecticut. The last two years she was not well, so I did not see her at all.
The obituary spoke of her care for others, volunteering to cuddle babies born with addiction, driving patients for cancer treatments, and providing respite car for families of Alzheimer’s patients. When I read an obituary like this, I only hope that whoever writes mine can say such good things about me.
Prayer for the Day
God of memories, old and new, beautiful and sad,
Grace us today with your presence in our lives;
God of broken hearts, mend us and heal us,
Enabling us to embrace memories of those we loved.
Grant us, Holy One, who is with us when we mourn,
That our grief is can give meaning to our lives.
In the name of him who showed us how to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.
William James, American philosopher and teacher (1842-1910)
Life isn’t a matter of milestones but of moments.
Rose Kennedy (1890-1995)
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the world,
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn us back to dust, and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past,
Or like a watch in the night.
You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
Like grass that is renewed in the morning; in the morning it flourishes
Psalm 90: 1-5