I know I share limited personal information here, forgive me. I took a step back over the last couple of days to prepare for and attend my Father's funeral service. It was a time for our family to come together, united and supportive of one another. The outpour of love for my father over the last couple of weeks have been overwhelming to say the least. He battled a massive stroke for 5 years that left him paralyzed on the left side, making him unable to sit, stand or walk during the period.
There were times when he became pretty emotional about his situation but he largely had an upbeat spirit about his chances of recovery. A devout Christian, and someone who believed in miracles, he never did give up on himself over the last couple of years the old man. A true fighter. This isn't really meant to be a proper tribute but I can't help but mention the things that made him so loved. When people began to reach out to our family to send in their condolences I realized just how much of a good man he was.
Of course we'd already seen it firsthand in the way he raised us up (myself and my four siblings). Always compassionate, kind and ready to sacrifice for our comfort. We unfortunately didn't understand nor fully appreciate just how good a Father and human being he was. Unfortunately the prolonged sickness he had reduced the quality of his experiences and perhaps a chance for him to fully reap the seeds he had sown in the lives of others. Yet his passing and the events that have followed certainly put many things into perspective, chief of which is that my Father was certainly loved by a lot of people.
We don't personally know everyone who's reached out following his passing, and some he knew merely passing. Yet amongst the kind words I've been privileged to hear it certainly makes me want to be a better person. Some people will say 'it is better to be celebrated when alive', and that may hold some truth in it. Yet for many people the finality of death helps to put many things into perspective about the course of our lives. I say today is not that important because we sometimes take actions that neglect the consequences of tomorrow.
My dads passing hurt but my heart isn't heavy. His was truly a celebration of life.