May 6, 2013
I took my parents to my Aunt's funeral today in Syracuse... my mom sang her own words to the songs (even when there wasn't any music playing) and shouted hello to the funeral guy that she was sure was my brother Bob. Halfway through she looked at me and said "is this over yet?" in her loudest voice. Honestly, it just makes me love her even more! My dad decided he didn't want to go to the cemetery or stay for the luncheon (even though it was his sister that passed away) and so we went to lunch somewhere else and then went to buy pansies for Mother's day... The older they get, the more I think I want to be like them... I often want to sing my own tunes, shout "is it over yet" and recognize people I love in others, skip things like cemetery visits and buy pansies instead... Yup... I'm gonna be more like my mom and dad (who left a $20 tip for a $35 lunch)!
(My father is one of 11 children and he has one sister left. I wonder how that feels to be left without your parents and siblings? My mother has lost her brothers and sisters and parents too. I am learning to treasure those things that I have always just thought would be there, like my mom and dad and family. Only God is permanent. All other things leave this earth. Only God is forever.)
The priest told a story today that was interesting. A man died after living his entire life idolizing his possessions, career and money. He was sent to hell and for the rest of eternity, he was separated from all the things that he coveted. He had no TV, no comfortable chair, no fancy china or nice house, no car or window to look out of. He was sentenced to eternity in a room all alone without anything or anyone. Once a year, a $100 bill was lowered from the ceiling and held in front of his face and he was reminded about how much he idolized money before God. It was quite a visual and I hope I never forget that God is first above all else.
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