Hit with the news of another person passing away too soon this week, it kind of forced me into perspective.
Is that what death is for? Wrestling with the questions internally? Are we left here gathering the pieces of what that person meant to us?
Do we draw inspiration? Or work to make them proud, as if they were still with us? Painful and confusing, loss is hard.
Among the mourning and grief there are memories. Perspective also pays us a visit. Life has a way of reminding us what's important and why it's precious in the midst of loss.
Still, there's nothing quite like understanding the impact a person has had on you once they're gone. They are no longer a text or phone call away.
We end up missing those people more than we thought we would. We end up remembering things about them that we otherwise wouldn't give an extra thought.
But I think there's a lasting value that they leave us with when they go. It's a reminder to live. Not just exist. This isn’t the cliché carpe diem. This is a different cliché. An indication to find our non-negotiables in life and to pursue them.
Somehow, in some way, death can breathe new life into us. It focuses our thoughts, even for a moment, on what's important. It finds us thankful within the pain.
Our dearest people leave us with these reminders, as if to give us one last gift. The gift of gratitude, leading to life.
One of your best!