As you may know, I was in TX for my cousin's funeral. His name was Aaron. He died unexpectedly on December 5, 2007. He was only 24 years old, has a wife and 3 children. It's been an awful experience for the whole family obviously. The grieving process is complicated with a sudden death such as this. Joe and I were able to be with family and attend the memorial services and I'm so thankful for that.

I have so many memories of Aaron. He had a wonderful smile, would give the greatest bear hugs and was very protective of the women in the family. He was really loved although I think sometimes he questioned that. We get so carried away with the business of life and allow superficiality to permeate our schedules and relationships. We forget to slow down and articulate our care and concern for those around us. We don't realize that loving another person does not stop with just knowing we love them or having a warm fuzzy feeling. It's about living out that love relentlessly. How does that person know we care about them? When was the last time we told them? What do our actions or lack of actions say about our love, care and concern for another? Is it at all incongruent with our claim that we love and care for that individual? I'm not sure at all if you relate to this, I'm exposing more of my internal dialogue through this grieving process than anything else.
A few lessons/reminders I've had:
1) We are here to love others the way that He first loved us.
2) People will still make poor choices and people will still feel unloved despite our efforts to love them.
3) I have grown too comfortable in focusing on what's best for me instead of how can I bring comfort to those closest to my heart emotionally, physically, spiritually.
4) You never know what's around the corner in the streets of life.
5) "Too Late" comes quicker than you could ever imagine.
6) The incredible pain that is felt in times of loss is a ear-piercing reminder that we were not created for this broken and aching world and that we should be forever grateful for the grace, mercy, forgiveness, comfort and love that we are blessed with and looking forward to the time when the tears will dry and hurts will fade only to be replaced by pure joy and peace.