Thank you Ruth for inviting us to celebrate!
Today I want to celebrate life!! I want to celebrate life with all I have!!!
This morning I went to a 20 year old young man's funeral service. For many years I would see Marcus come with his mother and sister to our single moms once a month dinners. He was this big guy who had presence. He was special. He came even when he could have stayed at home by himself.
Today I listened to Marcus's friends and family share stories about Marcus. I listened and watched the young people from the group home where he worked cry over Marcus. Marcus's uncle shared about Marcus's love for his mother and sister. Friends told how Marcus had been their fashion adviser, and more importantly, he had been their friend.
So today, I want to celebrate life!
After the funeral service I went to visit my friend H. who is staying at a rehab center recovering from her hip surgery. She was really excited as it was almost time for art! She excitedly showed me what she had done the day before in art.
There was a picture frame already on her dresser and a picture on the wall.
Today's session was coloring. H. and I sat at a table with three other ladies who were all coloring. For over an hour, we sat and talked. We found out how one of the ladies had come to America as a child. Another one had grandparents from Poland and Hungary. One lady has four cats. and she is glad to be going home in a few days to see them again. As I mentioned my dislike of cats, she smiled and said that her brother only has 20 cats!
One of the other ladies pointed to a lady behind me, and said: "She is my sister."
I did find out that they were not roommates, but enjoyed coming to do art or play rummy together. We shared stories about our lives; where we come from and where we have been. We found things that connected us to each other, and we saw art taking place.
In the morning, I celebrated a life that ended too quickly. In the afternoon, I celebrated stories. These stories connected us. These stories--both sad and happy--give meaning to our lives. Stories are memories that are meant to be shared.
What stories are you telling today?
P.S. When I went to buy a card for Marcus's family, I saw the mug (see pic above). I had to get it, because life really is a special occasion!
What a day filled with so much of life! It is important to capture something in every day that is special, that is supposed to be noticed and shared. I am sorry for the loss of Marcus and send prayers of comfort to you and his family.
ReplyDeleteCelebrating life every day!
DeleteJaana, I love how you found something to hold onto during a time of such sadness! Connections really make life worth living! Thank you for reminding me to appreciate those I love now as tomorrow is promised to none of us. Keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for your beautiful post today!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! Connections are so important!
DeleteWhat a blessing Marcus was to so many! Hoping for comfort for all who knew him and feel this loss. I love that you sat and colored and told stories for an hour. When my daughter and her friends were grieving the loss of a friend who took his own life, I left them with paper and crayons. The next day my breakfast table was covered with pages they had colored while sharing stories of their friend.
ReplyDeleteThat's why art therapy is so important!
DeleteLife is a special occasion, what a fitting reminder. We need to celebrate all aspects of our lives.
ReplyDeleteLet's see how much life we can celebrate this week!
DeleteWhat a day full of emotion. Your post makes me appreciate what I do have and the many people who I get to share life with. Thoughts and prayers your way!
ReplyDeleteSharing life is also celebrating it! Let's expect something wonderful this week!
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