Life is short

Life is short.

Forgive quickly.

Kiss slowly.

Love truly.

Laugh uncontrollably.

And smile.

I went to the funerals of 3 friends within 3 days' time last week.

Then, I found out that a good friend of mine, quite a few years younger than I, has breast cancer. Her doctor told her that this particular cancer is a "very aggressive, nasty type of cancer." Not encouraging, to say the least. She is scheduled for a double mastectomy next week. She is facing her mortality square in the face, eye to eye, nose to nose. I ache for her.

At one of the funerals I went to, I left feeling good...uplifted...happy, even. They called the memorial service a "Celebration of the Life of [her name]" and it truly was. She was a remarkable woman who brought up an amazing, wonderfully talented and gifted family, 5 generations strong. She was a very happy person and an inspiration to all who knew her. We celebrated her life. The pastor officiating the service even had the congregants to offer an ovation to celebrate her life. It wasn't just an ovation, but a long, standing ovation. As odd as it may seem, it felt appropriate. No, I've never been part of a standing ovation at a memorial service, but it was right for her. We celebrated her life, what she had accomplished and what she accomplished through her family. She will live on. I didn't shed a tear. Instead I laughed. I smiled. I had several "Awww" warm moments. And I felt good when I left. I told someone that it was a beautiful service, and I don't say that often. Especially regarding funerals. But it was.

At one of the other funerals, everyone who knew the deceased was so happy for her. Happy for her? Yes, happy. You see, she had had crippling arthritis since she was just 11 years old. She died at 71, so for 60 years, she had suffered. She had never known the joys and pleasures that most teenage girls do. She never knew the thrill of being married and becoming a mother. She didn't travel very far. She was totally dependent on family members her entire life. She was completely incapacitated and bedridden the last 25 years of her life. But you know what? She was one of the happiest people you could ever meet. She was always singing, always had a joke and according to her family, was one of the most mischievous people ever! Several people made the remark that whenever they went to visit her, they always left feeling better than when they arrived. She left her mark on this world. She didn't leave it through children of her own, but she left it on the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. We are so happy for her now. Because now, she can walk, run, jump, skip, stand up and sit down - and do it all without pain. She has been relieved of her earthly useless casing. She is happy...she is whole...she is free. So, yes, we are happy with her and celebrating her deliverance from disease. It is hard to grieve for someone who has just received so much.

During the same week, 2 friends gave birth to their first baby. There were complications in both cases. In the first case, the baby was born with respiratory complications and was put on a respirator and was kept in the hospital for several days. We were worried. We cried. We prayed. There had been no prenatal indications of any pending complications. It was one of those unpleasant surprises that we never want to face. Everyone was very concerned and the mood was quiet and gloomy for several days. A somber time.

In the second case, the complications were with the mother...a young mother experiencing her first childbirth. She went into labor on a Monday, not delivering the baby until early in the wee hours Thursday morning. The family was upset, scared, tired, nervous, weepy, irritable...not your usual happy, excited enthusiasm while waiting for the birth of a baby. The young mother was having major problems with her blood pressure and with major blood loss. After much labor (oh, what an appropriate word!), she finally delivered a beautiful baby girl. The baby is healthy and very alert. The mother is still suffering. The family is still concerned. They are so proud of the baby, but when you talk to them about the mother, the look on their face changes. They wrinkle their brow, they frown, their eyes tear up. They are worried...worried about the future.

Thinking back on these events of the past week, I realized that feelings seemed reversed. There was celebration at the passing of those we love and yet we cried and were worried at the birth of two beautiful babies. It reminded me that we should rejoice at the passing of a saint and mourn at the birth of a baby. The child's life is full of pain and hardship, while the saint has completed this life and has gone on to receive his reward. It also reminded me of the scripture that says "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." [Ps. 116:15].

The Circle of Life. We're all a part of it. What an interesting study!