How do we remember those we have lost
Death has been top of mind the last few days. I have gone from sending prayers of comfort for the loss of a loved one to sharing news of the loss of a fellow warrior and hearing of the imminent loss of a loving father. All lived long, experienced much, and impacted countless lives. Their stories remain. “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Revelation 14:13, NIV). They no longer suffer, they are no longer in pain, their deeds are not only seen by God, but they are remembered by those of us who remain on this earth. They have earned their rest in living in the Lord.
One dear friend shared how her Granny had a hard life. Lost her mother at a young age, widowed, and suffered the loss of all her children but one. And then she shared the most amazing words-she never lost her faith in all her troubles. She shared the blessing she gave others and although those of us that remain on earth want to hold on a little longer, God has called her home. Home…reunited with her mother, husband, and children and waiting until we all meet again.
As I shared the news of the loss of our fellow warrior, a dear friend shared the tragic news that his father’s death was imminent as he answered the phone from the intensive care unit. I had not known he also lost his mother in the last year. We shared stories and laughed about her stone goose-a story for another day. Both had a life well lived and well loved and they will soon be reunited.
Finally, I had to share the news of the loss of a mentor and friend in the military. When one of us passes in the military, we try to reach out to as many of us directly impacted so they don’t see it for the first time via email or social media. As I made my calls, we all had stories to share. A memory from over 20 years ago to recent moments we shared. Call after call, story after story, I knew that although gone, he was still with us in all our memories and stories. He never forgot a name, he always remembered your family and, in every engagement, you felt that you mattered because you did. I remembered our last encounter when I performed a speech at his retirement home. When he called, you answered, even if it was a pseudo recruiting speech lauding the National Guard. His last words to me were when he patted me on the shoulder and told me he looked forward to being there when I pinned that second star. We made it Rudy…we made it. A life well lived, a man honored and respected, a dear friend.
Today, I pray that you share the stories of loved ones lost. May their deeds remain with us now and for future generations. May we not dwell in sorrow, but she in the joys of the memories we were blessed to share.
