With deep respect

Today we attended the funeral of a distant relative, a young gentleman who was killed - by a speeding boy racer - on a pedestrian crossing whilst he was out walking his 'rescued' dog.

Naturally the service was difficult yet no where near as unbearable & grim as it must've been for his Parents, Siblings, Grandparents & Friends. We have a daughter - only a little younger  - oddly enough the Eulogy could've equally been written for her. Such similar directions in life, University, chosen careers & studies. Such a kind, vibrant, happy & lovely Soul. There for the grace of God go I, least I think its a saying used in  a similar scenario.

As we stood listening to the outpouring of celebrations & grief the realisation of the significance of each moment in life is again remembered. To witness such a promising Life snatched away before it was truly fully lived is a reminder to us all of the gifts to be found in the present moment. To appreciate all the joys to be shared, to be thankful for those in our lives.

 The loss enormous to his family & friends was so very apparent, also obvious sadly, were the amount of regrets. "Wish I'd told him . .,  "I never got to thank him.. ,  "I never said . . etc etc all too many sentences spoken by many.  All in deep numbing remorse, so painful their plight so unexpected but so final the death.  Never could their regrets be eased, be shared, never the opportunity to make things right.  Forever they will carry those regretful thoughts, probably held close deep within until the day they die. . if only, how I wish I'd said.  Forever a hole in their hearts, forever there is a missing smile, an empty place at the table, an empty bedroom & full wardrobe.  Forever their memories will now have to serve them well. Never again can they have that stolen moment just to say I Love You, Thank You or I'm Sorry. Everything else fades into insignificance when such important statements remain unspoken. In numbing silence their regret became unbearable for them. In time I hope their pain & remorse will be eased.

I contemplated the difficulties remaining once the deceased family leave the church & cemetery. The funeral service is over.  Their lives will never be the same again. I can't even imagine how the ending of all expectations & his life will now become the beginning of their life from this day forward, their life without their son .. how ever will they find courage & strength for their life to commence or just be.

Mentioning funeral's, they are so different nowadays in comparison to the traditional way in which they used to be served.  So much more personal now, far less formal & still respectfully celebratory.  The tributes , the compliments, the appraisals & plaudits in recognition of the many qualities of the deceased. All so beautiful and shockingly sad. Yet when you hear such amazing qualities described with such an aptitude & enthusiasm for life .. one can be equally distraught & that dreadful sense of hopelessness to overwhelm or one can only try to respectfully find the value when observing such intimate grief, such a loss not only to his family but to humanity.
So much so the value to all in attendence must be to bring home within themselves a greater knowledge & appreciation of their own life & its fragility.  To have life yet not to truly live life can seem so complacent when considering another's whose life has been so tragically stolen - taken without any warning of illness, or without any opportunity to 'change'.  A harsh & cruel sacrifice acting as a reminder to all those who wish to see a life lost must never be in vain.

Today, with deep respect I just wanted to pay homage to this  young gentleman, wanted to chronicle this day & his family's loss & joys to have known such an amazing guy, I wanted to remember this day, to never forget, to always find the inspiration of each & every moment of my life. To never waste a moment which could be shared in kindness, in love, in discovery & in deep reverence.  To remember how significant each & ever moment of each & every day is. To remember the people sharing their celebrations & grief. To remember life is for the living & life is to be lived with the greatest perspectives & greatest Love always.

Long may those who are special, those who are precious, those who give, create & share so much of themselves with so many others. Long may their legacy remain. Equally for those who live yet feel their lives are desolate inside, long may the love shared - when considering 'All is One' - remind them of their own potentials & aspirations. That they are never truly alone. Love shared will always be only a thought away.  Long may the deceased's smile cheer them, long may their enthusiasm for life bring comfort, courage, endurance, stamina & hope.

To all loved ones, to all those who grieve . .  please know you're held close in our hearts, our thoughts & our daily prayers. With deep respect & with our deepest condolences.

I've chosen photographs I've taken of of our garden trees, as the deceased young man loved nature, loved animals & loved trees. So peaceful, so strong, so with deep respect, together all as one in love.