Scott
Saturday was mom's memorial service.
We started this blog on May 9, 2015. It took less than a year for her struggle to be over. In 10 months, we have grown incredibly closer as a family. Dad retired and stepped up to help mom like never before. We saw him dedicate himself to mom. Amy and I spent more time in Butler than we had since we were kids.
Mom's service was a culmination of all of that. It was remarkable.
We truly celebrated mom's life in a way that most befitted her. She would have been happy with the service and luncheon. She would have enjoyed the food and the company. Surprisingly we didn't cry a lot. There were tears for sure, but Amy, Dad and I were able to make it through our parts in the service and in greeting guests without a major breakdown.
And now we start a new chapter in our family's life... a time where mom's presence is a memory, where her spirit lives on in our lives, where we feel her presence and her love without her physically with us.
She touched the lives of so many people in so many ways and we will all miss her.
Reflecting on today, and on this process...
Always take the time to show someone you love them, don't wait for a better time.
Send notes, cards and photos. We didn't print out one email, but we looked at cards, letters and tangible things we had from mom's life.
Take photos, print out photos, don't be shy about capturing the moment.
And love each other.
In preparing for mom's service I looked for verse from the Bible that summed up what mom taught us, that encompassed all that she was to us. And I found Romans 15:1-7
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Mom always taught us to accept one another, to bear with the failings of the weak, to build up our neighbors and to love each other.
She lived that out in her life and she now lives it out through ours.
We love you Mary, we will miss you very much.
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