The funeral....
I've just returned from the funeral of a good friend. Nancy and I belong to an organization in which we saw each other quite often, sometimes once a week. After the first of the year, and with our wedding, I haven't been in attendance at the organizations meetings as often as normal so I was surprised three or four weeks ago to see Nancy in ill health. She had been at their home in Santa Fe and fallen ill with pneumonia. But she, along with her husband Tom, seemed upbeat about her recovery. As always, Nancy was full of optimism and vim though with not quite so much vigor.
So it came as quite a shock on attending the meeting yesterday to learn that Nancy had passed away this week. I learned this from husband Tom, who was at the meeting as usual. It turned out that Nancy had been battling cancer for quite a long time. As was her way, I don't recall her ever mentioning her illness and certainly not uttering a word of complaint or sorrow. The organization that brought us together teaches us to help others as a way out of our own problems, and Nancy lived up to this credo as much as anyone I know.
The older I get, the more funerals affect me. They remind me to live life to the fullest and to hope that, when I realize that I am going, that I can be as courageous, accepting, and charitable about my fate as people like Nancy. The funeral service was a tribute to her life and postitive attitude attended by people from all walks of life. One of the healing things about the funerals I attend in the town the size of Midland, is that I get to see friends and acquaintances that I haven't seen in ages. Important people thoughout my lifespan. Like the neighbors who lived across the street from me when I was a kid, high school classmates that I don't run into often or old friends of my parents who knew my as a ten year old. It makes me feel both young and old at the same time, but confirms the continuity of life.
I've just returned from the funeral of a good friend. Nancy and I belong to an organization in which we saw each other quite often, sometimes once a week. After the first of the year, and with our wedding, I haven't been in attendance at the organizations meetings as often as normal so I was surprised three or four weeks ago to see Nancy in ill health. She had been at their home in Santa Fe and fallen ill with pneumonia. But she, along with her husband Tom, seemed upbeat about her recovery. As always, Nancy was full of optimism and vim though with not quite so much vigor.
So it came as quite a shock on attending the meeting yesterday to learn that Nancy had passed away this week. I learned this from husband Tom, who was at the meeting as usual. It turned out that Nancy had been battling cancer for quite a long time. As was her way, I don't recall her ever mentioning her illness and certainly not uttering a word of complaint or sorrow. The organization that brought us together teaches us to help others as a way out of our own problems, and Nancy lived up to this credo as much as anyone I know.
The older I get, the more funerals affect me. They remind me to live life to the fullest and to hope that, when I realize that I am going, that I can be as courageous, accepting, and charitable about my fate as people like Nancy. The funeral service was a tribute to her life and postitive attitude attended by people from all walks of life. One of the healing things about the funerals I attend in the town the size of Midland, is that I get to see friends and acquaintances that I haven't seen in ages. Important people thoughout my lifespan. Like the neighbors who lived across the street from me when I was a kid, high school classmates that I don't run into often or old friends of my parents who knew my as a ten year old. It makes me feel both young and old at the same time, but confirms the continuity of life.
