A Man's Legacy

Lizzie and I attended another funeral visitation last night. It seems these are coming too often. Funerals are unique in that the viewing is a reminder of our own fallibility. It's that time to show support for the family.  It's also a coming together of family, friends and acquaintances to pay tribute to a person for a life well lived. This man must have lived one heck of a life and influenced thousands of people in a positive way. And he wasn't a government official or a Nobel Prize winner. He was a school teacher and administrator. In the summer he mowed fairways and put up bird houses at a local golf course. Maybe this is the reason Lizzie and I stood patiently in line for one solid hour to greet his wife and view his body. He was a friend and a 'Regular Joe'. Think about it. When all the ceremonies are complete, his wife, children and grandchildren, brother and cousins and all of those in his inner circle can reflect on his legacy. They can take pride in knowing so many people cared. I'm in awe. The viewing hours were from 5PM-8PM and each and every person attending, except for first arrivals, waited patiently to pay their respects. That is a testament to a life well-lived. His family has to be very, very proud. I'll tell you what else is important. From now on, every time every person thinks of him, they will have nothing but fond and treasured memories. The grief will fade away in due course and then an eternity of celebration will begin. That's the way God meant it to be.