shine on

recently, a close friend of mine

experienced the loss of her father.

he took his own life after a long battle with depression.

what follows is her speech at his memorial service...

i was going to share just a portion of it,

but it is so profound as a whole...

this was just days after the loss.

her heart is so beautiful.

i love you j.

"It has been said that the world is made up of stories--not atoms.
My dad knew this well.
My dad's stories often came in the form of jokes.  He had an uncanny ability to remember every joke he'd ever heard--and always had one ready to share--to bring on the laughter.
I have never been a good joke teller--but I do love stories--stories and words--words and ideas.  So that is what I would like to share with you now.

In this life, every moment counts.
Death can quickly remind us of this.
It shifts our perspective and moves us back to center--
realigning our selves with our souls.

For 40 years, my dad has been my teacher--one of my greatest.
I know he will continue in this role of a lifetime.

Let my father's death be a reminder to love fiercely, to love gently, to love every moment deeply.

I believe that hope begins in darkness.
I am full of hope.

Let my dad's death be a reminder that the obstacles on our path are gifts--
they are the strange packages of life itself,
which we have come here to unwrap and delight in--together.

Thank you daddy, for giving me life.

Please keep your spirit close by.

I miss you.
I love you.

Love,
Bean

-by j. thomma