Life and Death

The last 2 years a couple of good guys have died.

This morning we went to the funeral of a good guy, he was 30 years old and died in an accident, his death was sudden and unexpected. A guy we knew not as a close friend but a guy we had abit to do with over the years and we valued and respected him. The initial shock of him being gone put both Shane and I into the whole what would we do and how we'd feel. Our feelings for the family of sadness and sympathy for the family and close friends. He's left behind a big hole.
I knew him with a huge smile, as a welcoming friend, and as a good bloke, a bloke who loved his wife (trust me you could see it written on his face!), loved the Lord, and had a great sense of life and fun.

Last year another guy we knew and respected died - another great guy, he wasn't that much older either. It's just been the first anniversary of his death I kept him in my mind alot this last year, the memories of the things said at his funeral about the values he lived by - I figure if I could learn something from his life it was a legacy from him. Kind of thinking how to put it here but as an encouragement to keep going when things get tough, have a smile and care, have faithfulness and determination.

You know both these guys loved God with a huge passion, both were like giant teddy bears, soft hearted with a huge softness and cheer or joy about them in different ways. The huge benefit of being a Christian in this position is knowing that I will once see them again. They are resting in Heaven and although their time was short on this earth they have achieved alot before they left - alot of people loved these guys, respected these guys and had their lives impacted because of them. If I can be half as great at showing love, friendship, their love for the Lord, smiles and laughs with people as these guys did then I have learnt and appreciated things of them and they will live on in some small way via me.

So today as I acknowledged Nello to his family and friends, I know for me I have taken a small part of the impact he has left and have another memory to add for this next coming year as a reminder of what one person can leave and the challenge of caring that small part on. As for Kerry this next year I will continue his memory onwards again and be challenged to make the most of the opportunities given, the family and friends I have.

I am sure hoping that I will have no more memories of people and challenges or encouragements to add for me to live my life by in the coming years...the reminder today by Nello's mother-in-law was to tell those that loved you and you love exactly that, learn about them, spend time with them you never know when that time might just be up. That's a great reminder - when my children came home they all got an extra long hug and told I loved them.

I think ramblings by Anita might be an appropriate title for today. I dislike funerals I cry and feel empathy but I feel if I can honour the persons memory by allowing their life to impact mine still thats a lovely legacy for me to carry for them. So to those who I love, I love you dearly I'm not so good at saying it. My family - My hubby and kids, My Mum and Dad, My brother Mark & Catherine, My extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and all my in-law family, my great friends...I'll have to try harder to say how much I value and love you all.