I do not know how many people out here have had to deal with the loss of a loved one, nor could I even imagine the numbers! But, death is a part of reality. When I look back at the family and friends that I have lost this year alone, I get a deep pain in my heart, as some of them were not much older than I am today. This brings to mind my own mortality.
Like most out there, we tend to think that our parents or children are impervious to death, we think that are all suppose to be around forever. I think I got my mortality slap when I was 25, and my dad died. He was only 61 years old. In retrospect, I realize now how little I knew this man. He was a drop in parent all my life. Yet, during the final weeks of his life, I was a constant in his, I was concerned that he would die and leave me with impending questions on why... just "why?"
It was not until later when I was 41 and my only sibling had died did I get some answers to my life long quest to determine why my father was a drop in dad. Mike was only 43 when he died, he did not talk alot about his life in San Diego, and when he died, I was left to find out that my brother was a "saint" in the eyes of many of his friends. Yet, we knew nothing of this part of him. He did a ton of volunteer work, gave up vacation pay and time to help those who needed it, spent 24/7/7 at Standown for homeless VETS to get them back in the system. How can I forget his work with SD Pride.. wow! This person had a long list of awards and letters of appreciation stuffed everywhere around his loft! I was amazed and set back by all of this knowledge. That is when it hit me...
It did not matter why my dad was the way he was, I was to love him no matter what because he was my father. BUT, I did not have to like his actions toward me. In one letter that I found among Michael's stuff, it became obvious that we were not the "apples of his eye" nor were we to be treated like his children. He did not pay child support or send home an allotment when he was in the military. It was the mythical dad that I always wanted.. not what I got "stuck" with.
Later in my life, I would face yet another death that left me wondering, but, not questioning. My granddaughter, Anna died at just 32 days old. Her lil life was nothing but a struggle from the time she popped her lil head into this world. As much as I would have loved to blame God for this, it was not God, it was human nature that dealt her the problems that she had. If it was not for us having "freewill" as a gift from God, then we would not learn from the trials and tribulations that happen while we are here. We can either follow His laws and commandments, or we can just move through this life not thinking of the outcome of our actions.
When we look at the entire "book" of life, if we do not know God, we can not emulate Him or his word. I believe that by the Grace of God, is why I am here. I learned lessons from my father as how to be a good parent by his example of his lacking parenting skills, AND Mike left me a legacy of how I can overcome this issue by helping others. Anna, well, she gave me the best gift of all, the ability to still love God and not place blame on what happens. It is all part of his plan, and by her death, maybe there will come knowledge that will save another child through medical procedures or her legacy will be the work that I am doing to help others along their path enduring what we endured with her issues and death.
Is is all up to us to look at someones life and make is a legacy? Or do we look at their life and not learn from it.. I choose the first one, to look at someone's life, see what we can do with our memories and lessons learned and challenge ourselves on a daily basis to make a difference in how we live our own lives.
I know this was a random post, but, at 345 in the morning, my brain was aching to say something.
Please continue to support ANP and Angel Blankets... as we are trying to comfort those in need, and make one more person come unto God, just by loving His children..
I say this in Jesus' name, Amen..
Peggy