Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Farewell

Yesterday I was called upon once more to fulfill a solemn duty. It was the third time in my relatively short life that I have done so. It was an honor and privilege to bear the casket of my departed Aunt Linda.

After a battle with cancer, my Aunt departed this world as she had lived her life; with style and with grace. No higher respect can be given in this life. She had been told at the first of the month that she only had one week to live at the most. She wished to live long enough to spend her anniversary with her husband and for this she found the strength. She then prayed for the strength to last through Christmas so that her family would not spend the holiday in grief and she found the strength. After the holidays, she made her peace with both the here and now and the hereafter. In the end she passed on her own terms, planning the services and setting her life in order.

I can only hope that when my time comes, I am able to show the same strength, resolve, and calm. I do not write these words to mourn her death but only to celebrate her life. Her family and friends will miss her greatly but the part of her that lives in each of us will sustain us as we remember a life well lived.

15 comments:

Big D said...

It was the second time for me. I don't know of a higher honor that one can receive then to help a special person to thier final resting place.

Dear Jane... said...

well said Fuzz. I am sorry for your loss. But it seems that her suffering has now ended. Thank you for sharing with us.

Cissa Fireheart said...

fuzz, I am sorry to hear about your loss. But it it wonderful your family has the memories of her this past Christmas as her final time with all of you.

I hope you and your family will heal well from your sorrow.

Jay Noel said...

Well said...a great post to honor your Aunt Linda.

Rocky said...

Sorry about the loss of your aunt. You really wrote a wonderful tribute to her. I'm sure you made her proud with that one.

Unknown said...

Sorry for your loss. Sometimes its better for them to pass on and not have to live with the pain. My father has cancer, and has been given 2 years. He continues to fight on though and we hope to bet the odds with treatments.

May your Aunt rest in peace.

Ben O. said...

Hey - nice words. We'll be thinking of you.

Great post - Ben O.

CT said...

how sad, sorry for your loss...

HOOK'EM HORNS!!!!!

Shay said...

sorry for your loss.

Naiad said...

What an honour and what a beautiful tribute. At least she had people like you who loved her this much.

JM said...

Thanks for sharing that with us. My prayers go out to your family.

:P fuzzbox said...

I thank all of you for your kind comments. I chose the picture of a West Texas sunset with a windmill in the foreground as a tribute to my aunt. She loved to paint and one of her favorite subjects was windmills. When I saw the picture, It reminded me of her and thought that it could say more than my poor words. Thanks again to everyone.

Phred said...

Sorry for your loss.
She must have been special, the way you all talk....

ObilonKenobi said...

I am sorry for your loss. I never saw anything sadder than the sons of my Mother-In-Law carrying her casket out of the church. I've never had the honor or the misfortune...

:| raven |: said...

my thoughts are with you ...