Changing Direction

I have been observing quite a few friends, family, and others in how they react to the death of a loved one or of someone they revere.  When someone you love is no longer here physically with you it's understandable to grieve and miss them deeply.  Maybe it's because of my faith but I truly believe that when we leave this Earth it is not final for us.  Death IS the great mystery isn't it?  Where do we go from here?  I am always much more sad for those who are left behind than for those who have passed on.  There is something else that I've often pondered.  If someone has passed on, why do people visit grave sites?  Isn't it the belief of many faiths that they are no longer in that body?  So why visit them there?  In remembrance of someone shouldn't you celebrate their birth date instead of having a somber commemoration on their death date?  Doesn't it make more sense to hang out in places where the person was in life, inste...

Yesterday I attended the memorial of a truly good woman who was a very close friend of our family.  She was so close that I considered her my aunt.  Although I really feel that no one dies before their time, this is a woman that I wish could have stuck around a lot longer.  I learned by all the people who stood and spoke about her and their experience with her that she impacted them in great ways.  She loved, taught, inspired, and sacrificed for so many and it was a beautiful thing to witness the testimonies of friends, family, and colleagues.  One of the great things about my aunt was that no matter what she may have been going through personally, she never let it hold her back from her goals or from helping others.  Her attitude was a perfect example of how we should all be.  She was always positive and was a woman of great faith...such a great role model.  Saying goodbye to her was yet another reminder that we do not know when our time is up....