The Blue Moon
Cover Page
What is Christmas
Reflections
Memories
Christmas Pageants
Legacy of Love
Home for Christmas
Message in a Bottle
Smells of Summer
Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus
Blue Jay
A Bowl of Christmas
Project Hope Walk
Funerals
Funerals
Today I went to a funeral of someone I had known when I was young.
I had not seen him at least for twenty years, yet the urge to pay my last respects was within me so strong ,I could not ignore it.
I had not gone to the funeral home. They freak me out.
Those we come to visit , do not even know we are there.
Visitation. How strange.
I did not want to see him in his coffin. I wanted to remember him laughing and being amongst us.
I always feel uncomfortable.
I never really know what to say.
"
"The common phrases, he/she looks good.
"
"They are no longer in pain
."
"They lived a good life
."
"They are in a better place.
"
It all sounds so foolish and heartless.
That person who has lost a loved one, does not want to hear empty phrases that are more for those who utter them, than anyone else.
They are to make them feel comfortable.
I find a hug, a gentle smile is all that is needed , to tell them we understand.
I remember for months how I had intended to go visit him in the home where he had lived .
I had always been too busy. There was always a good reason, yet now it was too late.
During the sermon, my thoughts went to the time that I remembered him.
During the reception after the service I heard his children, and those who had a more personal relationship with him share their stories.
A friend of mine and I commented how little we really knew him.
How little we really know one another .
I decided that from now on. I will not be too busy to visit .
I will make the time to get to know everyone better.
Time passes quickly, and we need to share our lives and care about one another more.
Funerals make us get a better perspective
of what is truly important in our lives.
The people we come in touch with each day.
Let us visit them when they are here with us , laughing and sharing their stories with us.
Let us not hear them from someone else after they are gone.
Let us give flowers when they can smell them and enjoy them, and not after they have died.
Death is inevitable.
Life is for us now .
Irene Motz