tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645095546732836042.post5690873317512020434..comments2016-08-25T16:26:15.529-07:00Comments on PewSpective: DissectionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03271388607886738576noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645095546732836042.post-73734541128052888672011-03-22T08:55:56.589-07:002011-03-22T08:55:56.589-07:00My condolences, Barbara. My heart is heavy for you...My condolences, Barbara. My heart is heavy for you and all of Richard's family and friends. I and my family will pray for him.<br /> <br />For the loved ones he leaves behind, we are praying for healing and strengthening of faith. <br /><br />If there is anything we can do, please don't hesitate to call us.Leslienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2645095546732836042.post-51334887426433781212011-03-11T16:08:14.987-08:002011-03-11T16:08:14.987-08:00A lot of places emphasize heavily that the funeral...A lot of places emphasize heavily that the funeral mass is a "celebration of life." Quite frankly, Barb, I hated that description. Celebration and funeral just never seemed to go together in my mind, and no one present ever seemed like they were celebrating. But I've changed my thinking on this over the years. <br /><br />I still find it hard to "celebrate their life" as a gift from God, now that they're gone. It's kind of like He took His gift back, so why celebrate now? But I've come to accept that many of the people in my life are to be celebrated, but celebrated that they were part of my life, not just that they lived at all. They lived, at least in some special part, for me. They were part of God's plan for me, His making my life better for their having been part of it. There are so many people I have been blessed to have part of my life; I can honestly say I cannot think of a single person who I knew who did not make my life better, even the few who brought me pains. Even that made me a better person.<br /><br />I don't understand all the reasons for the things God does, and death is right up there at the top of things not understood, but if I attend a funeral, now I am always celebrating, celebrating that God was so good to me, that I had this person in my life.<br /><br />In case things get fuzzy, as they sometimes do in times of grief, He's good to you also, Barb. But I think you know that.<br /><br />Peace.Do Not Be Anxioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607616214486933423noreply@blogger.com