Last week I wrote on the lessons learned from watching a sunrise. https://thankfulinallthings.com/simple-lessons-learned-from-a-sunrise/. Unfortunately, this week a good friend passed away which motivated me to share more thoughts on lessons we learn from adversity.
When my Mom (‘05) and Dad (‘09) died, it meant so much to me to see the people who showed up to honor their lives and be there for me. Even if I didn’t get much time with them at the service or after, I knew they had come and it deeply touched my heart.
I went to a Celebration of Life yesterday for a dear friend Laura Wilson Huyett. Her service once again reminded me of the three main reasons why going to these type of services should be a priority over almost anything else on the calendar.
First-The people who have lost a loved one are hurting. I choose to go so they know I am there and will be there when they need me in the future.
Secondly-I go to honor and pay my respects to the person who has died. It is my way of saying the person’s life mattered and in some way made an impact on my life.
Finally, I attend to glean from what people share about the one being honored. I always find something I can begin doing in my life to 1, make myself a better person, and, 2, to carry on the legacy of the life that has ended.
Laura’s life celebration was no different. There were so many wonderful things shared. (On a quick side note, take the time to tell people how you love them and what they mean to you while they are still alive) Stories were told that I had never heard before but two stuck out. Pastor Joey shared that Laura’s life was not just a song but a symphony. Laura lived out Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Laura Wilson Huyett lived out these verses and in the midst of sadness and mourning, this very special woman brought everyone great joy in her almost 65 years of life. The remembrances shared gave me much more to ponder on how I will now try to add new movements to the symphony God is trying to compose with my life.
One person who shared described her life as a never ending treasure hunt. Like looking for Easter eggs, children run out into the yard looking for eggs knowing they have been placed by others for them to find. I will take this beautiful picture and strive to live life as she did with a sense of wonder knowing God has placed amazing things for me to find. May I look for the treasures with a trust knowing God put them there for me to find.
As her husband Jay shared, I am grateful she had the courage to show us all how to joyfully persevere in suffering. One example was shared by Rick and Shannon Campanelli. Every person that came in to her room was asked “How is your day going”? One person’s response summed it quite well. “My life would be better if I was around more people like you”
Laura’s symphony has gone with a crescendo from one movement called “the already” to what God promises “will come” . Unlike a symphony, the next movement never ends. She will be waiting for all of us to say, “there are so many treasures here. Come, let me help you find and experience them”
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