A Eulogy

None of us handpicked our family members, yet God in his infinate wisdom, chose whom we would call mother, father, sister, and brother. The memories we now look back on.. . were shared with people who all along were meant to expose us to personalities unlike our own.. and to teach us.. if our eyes were open..Even the smallest child can teach us something.. if our eyes our truly open..

As we grew older, we took the things that we saw.. the things that we learned and applied them to our world outside of home.. and no matter how far we ran or how far we moved... the lessons we were taught by our parents.. the lectures.. the needs.. never left our hearts.. they soon became our own passions.. our own lectures and our own needs..

Life flies by quickly.. the bible author James stated it clearly when he wrote " your life is like a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." With time on no one's side, it is imperative that we let the ones around us know how much we love them.. true love is unconditional.. and when we learn to love without conditions.. we will inhale its purest form...

love is also contagious.. and unforced.. can spread its aroma on all those we are near.. this separates us in our final days.. from those who just passed.. to those who left behind a legacy... may we all strive to love more, to forgive more, to reach out more.. to break through the barrier of being a talker.. to actually being a doer ... the bible says in Psalms that a good name is better than precious ointment and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

Our name, chosen lovingly by our parents has followed us to this day.. our family left such an impact on our lives.. as we reflect the lessons, the love, the trials.. may we be empowered to pay it forward.. to let go of the bad.. and perfume ourselves in the sheer blessing of being loved for whatever amount of time we were afforded... the scent of any perfume fades over time.. but love endures even when our time on earth comes to an end... Make sure today, you dont take love for granted and tell all those in your life... how much you truly love them

David Crowder Band sings a song called I will praise you in this storm. the lyrics are applicable today
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

May the God of love comfort all of our hearts.. and may we all surrender our hearts to a God who loves us.. despite us...