Saying Goodbye

Some people who know us may know that Ralph and I come from two different religious backgrounds. In our life, it's not a problem but I do realize that for others it would be confusing and difficult. I have the highest respect for all and any religious beliefs.

Over the last two days, I have had the opportunity to be with my husband and his family during the Wake and Funeral for my Father-in-law whose death came suddenly last Tuesday in a tragic boating accident. Although they are investigating the circumstances, it is likely we will never know exactly what happened. The other three people in the accident survived the accident, two of them completely physically unscathed. I say physically because watching one of your best friends die before your eyes does not, as I would have guessed and have now witness with my very eyes, leave you emotionally unscathed.

Not at all.

I have had the chance to experience true grace under pressure, the ability to pull yourself together when you don't think you can, and what it means to support and love people even when you yourself are falling apart.

All in all, we got to say goodbye to a great man over the course of two days. I have decided that the best we can hope for when we leave this world is to say that so many people loved us unconditionally, that so many people remember us fondly with stories that still make us laugh, that our children laugh through their tears because 'remember when such-and-such a thing happened?'

We said goodbye in a way that I think my father-in-law would be proud.

Life is so short, beautiful and short. It can come to an end all of a sudden.

What do you hope people remember about you?