Saturday, February 04, 2006

Live and let live!

Sorry, no new pictures of Maddie this time. But I feel so loved and supported from my friends and family that left comments! See? That wasn't so hard! And I even did my darnedest to reply to them!

Now, If I could just figure out how to share my blog friends with my reader friends by posting them, ever so fancy, on the side of my blog. If any of you know how this is done and would like to share your knowledge.... that would be much appreciated!

Luke and I had one of those weeks that felt like two. Ever had one of those? We worked like normal for the first part of the week, then went to Oklahoma City on Tuesday night. Uncle Jerry's funeral was Wednesday. It was the most personal service I have ever attended. I cried, and cried. I'm sure some thought I was much closer to Jerry than I actually was, but the whole service was just so moving! What a celebration of his life and his being with JEsus now, and how sad for us that we no longer get to see him.

The thing that got me the most was how young his kids were. His youngest son is my age. I couldn't imagine being 26 with both of my parents already with Jesus! I think that is actually where most of my tears came from. Watching Anson (the 26 yr old) cry and sob, then cry some more. It was rough stuff!

I did, however, learn something bout preparing for death. Uncle Jerry was such a giving and 'tying up lose ends' kind of man. The ultimate gift that he gave his children was knowing, following and being Jesus to his kids. But the close second was how he had pre-arranged everything about his death, and left it in a folder for them to use when his time came. Everything was laid out and super organized with phone numbers and contact people. Insurance stuff, funeral plans and expenses pre paid for, as well as who to inform and what to write in the paper. Even the funeral service was all planned out with who said what and when. This let his kids grieve, and not have to stress over how everything was going to be paid for, and the kids didn't have to guess on songs and speakers.

I guess that COULD be interpreted a little impersonal. But who better to know what Uncle Jerry wanted, than Uncle Jerry! Uncle Jerry even made sure that the little tissue packs were available to the family! What a guy!

I know everyone deals with death, not to mention their own death, in different ways. But I want to be like Uncle Jerry. I don't want anyone to have to fuss, stress, or guess. I just want people to live. Miss me a little, but get back to living. And that was the greatest gift that Jerry gave his kids. They are headed in the right direction... getting back to living.

Yes, this blog is a little more.... downcast, shall we say? But none the less, lessons were learned. Now I'm off. I have some living to do! I suggest you do the same.

Lovies~KK