The Ones Who Really Remember

I just a attended a memorial service for a friend's dad who passed away about a year or so ago. I looked at the people and shook my head. How different from the first time.

I remember when her Dad's funeral service was held. The church was nearly filled with people. All were saddened at his passing. Everyone was grieving. Flowers and cards were displayed with notes of "We will never forget you. We will always remember you. In our hearts. In our prayers."

It was a touching scene then. I couldn't help thinking, "This was a man loved by many."

Seemed everyone showed up to pay their respects. Friends. Family. Colleagues. They were all there. Not a dry eye in sight. All chewed up inside.

After the service, they all filed out and followed the funeral car to the cementery. They stayed until the body was delivered back to the earth. And when the last patch of dirt was shovelled on, and the tombstone secured in place, some lingered even as the crowd slowly went their own way.

"We will always remember him" they promised.

And now, after about a year, here we were in a memorial service held by his offspring. As the service started, I was dismayed at the handful of people who were present. Gone were the crowd who professed they would remember him.

Oh, the invitations were sent out. But for some reason or other, they simply couldn't find the time to come. Even though this was mentioned in the original service ... where most, if not all of them, professed that they would come. They said they'd remember, didn't they?

Ah, but life goes on. His friends, co-workers, colleagues and other relatives have moved on.

The only one who remembered is his child and the child's family. The memory of their dad and grandpa will always be fresh in their minds and in their hearts. Even though they also have moved on, they will always remember him dearly ... and tenderly ....

The bonds that hold family together are not easily severed ... even by death.

And as we live our lives to the fullest, reach out for our dreams, and tackle our highest mountains, let us not forget, neglect and leave behind our families and loved ones. For even when we have friends who will laugh and cry with us while enjoying life, only our families and loved ones will continue celebrating us even when we're long gone.

Only they will keep us in their memories. Only they will continue to feel our absence even as others no longer remember.

Cherish and treasure family. Especially the time you have with them. One day, that time will no longer be there.

Losing sight of our families is losing a firm foothold that will deny us the favorable outcomes we long for ....