After a morning that was partially consumed with attending a funeral for a woman who worked in my district, I felt a loss at what to do with my free time. First, I stopped by the cemetery where she was going to be buried and visited my Nana and Uncle Ted's plots. After a few minutes of conversation with. . ..my thoughts--and a sun beating down on me, I left.
I wandered into Kohl's but soon realized I had nothing I wanted or needed to buy. No desire to acquire more stuff just for something to do. So I headed to Starbucks and used a gift card for an iced tea treat. With a cold drink in hand, I walked across the parking lot to get myself a manicure and pedicure. It isn't often I engage in this pleasure, but since it was my Open House at work, and the baby was with grandparents enjoying the camping life with her cousins and the kids in school, I thought, why not?
Coincidentally, the chair I sat in faced the parking lot where I began to see some familiar faces walking into a neighboring restaurant. Apparently this was where the reception was for the woman who had passed away. She lived in the same city I did. I did not know that. I did not know her really. I was often greeted by her mom's smiling face when I visit our district office, but I had never had the pleasure of meeting her daughter directly. While she taught elementary, I spent most of my days at the high school. However, she worked at the school I began. She worked with some of my friends who are still near and dear to my heart. They feel her loss directly.
Sitting there, being pampered, I couldn't help but think about this woman, two years younger than myself. The church was filled with people. That is saying a lot if you know how big our Catholic churches are. I stood in the back, only having a little bit of relief time from a teacher at my site. I saw countless faces of people who worked in our district. I saw many faces of people who are close friends of our family--people who I would call my own family, in fact. And I reflected on the life this woman lived despite her ongoing health battles. I listened as a speaker declared her passionate about the things and persons she loved most. My eyes filled with tears for the lives she was leaving behind, but in the same moment I was filled with gratitude for her ease from suffering. I was reminded of our faith and the way we will dance with Him in heaven and our spirits will soar and never can our bodies fail us again. . .and there was such comfort in that thought. Such peace.
The legacy I leave my children is such a deliberate act. It is a conscious decision every. single. day. I was reminded again, of my mom's health being restored from a stage three diagnosis. A miracle? Perhaps. But a gift, nonetheless. A gift I sometimes forget in my day to day happenings and raising of my beautiful children. I want to bask in the beauty of this life the Lord has given me. . .this doesn't mean I don't address situations with love and grace, or I avoid conflict at all costs. It means I choose to do things differently. I do it with Him in mind and I consciously rely on His hand in everything.
A friend emailed what she took away from the rosary and I wanted it somewhere to reflect on often:
- Love the Lord with your whole heart (when you do this it shows in all you do)
- Stop complaining (Even though she felt pain everyday, she never complained about it. She didn't take things for granted, such as walking, breathing, and seeing...)
- Be positive (see the beauty in everything that God provides for us especially when it's difficult to do)
- Serve others with a joyful heart (Do unto others as you want them to do unto you).
A life was lost, but her death served as a reminder to the rest of us in how we choose to live.
May she rest in peace.. .
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