Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 20:27
Though I don’t often visit cemeteries, I recently did so to celebrate memories of my loved ones. I know I can do this anywhere. Still, I find tangible peace in these places where I once expressed my grief through my tears as I spoke my final farewells. Though the remains of all of the people whom I’ve lost weren’t buried in this particular place, each one came to mind as I gazed over rows of monuments which seemed to go on for infinity.
As I considered these losses which began when I was four years old, I realized the reason I so miss these loved ones. In one way or another, they all enriched my life. Even when some of them weren’t at their best, they touched me in extremely important ways. Perhaps the most powerful trait which these good people shared was their consistent willingness to put others before themselves. Even when circumstances forced them into acts of generosity and selflessness, they rose to these occasions with grace.
As I stood there, a plethora of memories recounted their good deeds. Though I cried the first time I stood at their grave-sites, I couldn’t help smiling on this particular day. I looked up as if to find my loved ones in their afterlife abodes and whispered, “How can I thank you for doing all that you did for me?” Though I heard nothing in response, I had the distinct feeling that doing the same for those I’ve been given to love will be quite enough.
Generous God, thank you for the amazing people who have enriched my life. Help me to do the same for those I meet along the way.
©2020 Mary Penich – All Rights Reserved