I have missed visiting my favorite blogs.....it's just like missing friends and I am looking forward to catching up! Whenever I read that someone has been "too busy" for blogging....I can relate! And, it's nice to be back!
This past weekend I went on a last minute Road Trip. Down to San Diego on Saturday and back on Sunday. It's about 8-9 hours one way, so this was one quick trip! A dear childhood friend of my Mother In Law's passed away and we went to her memorial service. The weather was perfect. It turned out to be a very nice bonding time for us. My MIL entertained me with stories of her youth, and the long hours on the road just flew by!
She remembered this friend, who's service we were attending, had come running over to her house the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Imagine that. I love the stories from those days. It's like time travel in a way. Times were different, for sure.
The service was preceded by a visit to a spectacular garden right on the ocean. We could have stayed there all day. I will always love the sound of the ocean waves. It's so peaceful. I can almost feel that ocean breeze right now.
I was in the unique position of being at a service for a person that I had never met. I got to know her through the stories of her loved ones. I can tell you for certain that I would have liked her very much!
It made me wonder what my family would say about me. It's hard to imagine how people really see you, don't you think? What stories would they tell? Did I have an impact on their lives....a good one? What quirks would stand out?
At this service there happened to be a lot of family photos. She was a beautiful woman and even did some modeling in her youth.
I have decided to go through ALL of my family photos and REMOVE any photo that I don't like of myself!! Hah. What do you think about that?
It was a sobering reminder of what each of us will really leave behind. It's the relationships. We are creating moments and memories all the time. Some good and some ....not so good. I can't imagine being preoccupied with these thoughts all the time, that would be exhausting. I guess it just comes down to the basics. Try to be a good person. Try to do the right thing. Hmmm. Maybe I have heard that somewhere.
I don't think that Memorial Services are FOR the person who has passed. They aren't there in person to be honored. It's for the loved ones left behind. It's for their comfort and it's their opportunity to express themselves and share.
Today, make an effort to smile more.
Today, reach out to a loved one and tell them how you feel about them.
Today, be grateful for life.
I am grateful for my family, my home, my freedom to pursue my hearts desire. And, I am grateful for YOU my blogging friends!
.
This past weekend I went on a last minute Road Trip. Down to San Diego on Saturday and back on Sunday. It's about 8-9 hours one way, so this was one quick trip! A dear childhood friend of my Mother In Law's passed away and we went to her memorial service. The weather was perfect. It turned out to be a very nice bonding time for us. My MIL entertained me with stories of her youth, and the long hours on the road just flew by!
She remembered this friend, who's service we were attending, had come running over to her house the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Imagine that. I love the stories from those days. It's like time travel in a way. Times were different, for sure.
The service was preceded by a visit to a spectacular garden right on the ocean. We could have stayed there all day. I will always love the sound of the ocean waves. It's so peaceful. I can almost feel that ocean breeze right now.
I was in the unique position of being at a service for a person that I had never met. I got to know her through the stories of her loved ones. I can tell you for certain that I would have liked her very much!
It made me wonder what my family would say about me. It's hard to imagine how people really see you, don't you think? What stories would they tell? Did I have an impact on their lives....a good one? What quirks would stand out?
At this service there happened to be a lot of family photos. She was a beautiful woman and even did some modeling in her youth.
I have decided to go through ALL of my family photos and REMOVE any photo that I don't like of myself!! Hah. What do you think about that?
It was a sobering reminder of what each of us will really leave behind. It's the relationships. We are creating moments and memories all the time. Some good and some ....not so good. I can't imagine being preoccupied with these thoughts all the time, that would be exhausting. I guess it just comes down to the basics. Try to be a good person. Try to do the right thing. Hmmm. Maybe I have heard that somewhere.
I don't think that Memorial Services are FOR the person who has passed. They aren't there in person to be honored. It's for the loved ones left behind. It's for their comfort and it's their opportunity to express themselves and share.
Today, make an effort to smile more.
Today, reach out to a loved one and tell them how you feel about them.
Today, be grateful for life.
I am grateful for my family, my home, my freedom to pursue my hearts desire. And, I am grateful for YOU my blogging friends!
.
Well said Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Thanks for the great story, things to think about and the friendship!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Lisa
What a nice thing to do for your MIL. I'm sure she is grateful for the bonding time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post...Those flowers are just amazing..The bright colors *Sigh*....Sorry to to hear about your friends mother in law...That was really sweet for you to be there for her...Have a Happy Easter!!!
ReplyDeleteStephenie
Beautiful post, Stephanie. Though the circumstances were sad, how wonderful it is that you had the opportunity to travel with your mil and spend some quality time with her.
ReplyDeleteIt IS fun to hear the stories of the past, and how different life was for those who came before us.
Hugs, Debi
Beautiful post! And you got some gorgeous pictures there. I had recently been thinking about memorial services and found myself wondering...would anyone even be there? Does make you think.
ReplyDeleteOh, your photographs are gorgeous. Thank you for that video clip so I could hear the ocean. What a wonderful story, and you are so right we need to be thankful for what we have.
ReplyDeleteKaren
There is so much to be thankful for each and everyday but in our business we just pass it buy, thank you, Stephanie, for reminding me to stop and be thankful. Life is a gift to be treasured :)
ReplyDeleteThese are AMAZING flower photos!
ReplyDelete