Eulogies

The past few months I have been putting things together for mom's end of life services. One of the jobs that goes along with that is writing a eulogy for her memorial service. It's been an interesting journey. Actually, the first two times I tried to get one started for her...I ended up writing one for myself! That may seem like an odd thing to do...but actually...who knows me better than I do?
My dad had gone to a death seminar one time and part of the curriculum was to write your own eulogy. Mom had it read at his memorial service. It went like this: "Fred was a person of polarities. To have known him in only one dimension of his life was to miss its rhythm. He was witty and spontaneous yet capable of depth of thought and keen insights into life. He was a 'fighter of windmills' and often not taken seriously. Some of us sensed his visionary qualities and encouraged him to go on 'dreaming the impossible dreams.' He was not an attractive man. His clothes were plain, often untidy, his manners were sometimes coarse, but there was a humaness about him that demanded respect. Much of his life was spent as a pastor. He seemed unimpressed by the role. People who knew him, had they to choose between a relationship with him as pastor or friend, would choose the latter. He did not attempt to be someone other than himself, and that kind of honesty is to us an element of Christ-likeness. Somehow his impact will be felt for time to come in the lives of those who were in touch with him. He's still here."
Those words describe my father very well. Not so much about what he did...but who he was. I hope to be able to do the same for my mother. I've lived under the same roof with mom for almost forty years. I know her well. We are in a solid relationship...even if she doesn't remember who I am. I told Jeff that knowing her as I do carries a lot of responsibility. Not just as in physically caring for her...but letting others know who she is. Who she was. How much she has impacted the world...just by being herself. And by letting God guide her.
That got me thinking about my relationship with God. There's a responsibility there too. Sharing with others who He is, what He has done...and what He continues to do every day.
I guess I have my work cut out for me. Thankfully I am blessed with my mom's book, "I Wasn't Born Old." It shares a lot about who she was. Likewise, I am blessed with God's book, The Bible.
The big difference seems to be that I will be sharing with people the story of mom, when her life here comes to an end. Whereas, God's life is endless.
Knowing that mom will be joining dad, grandma and grandpa and all of the other hosts of heaven (not to mention our Creator) when she dies is a great comfort to me. There, she will have a new life. A life everlasting.