Spreading Love

This past week we had a lovely family gathering to spread my Mom’s ashes along the shore of Pebble Beach in Door County, Wisconsin. The beach is completely covered with smooth dolomitic limestone pebbles that are each uniquely perfect (see photo above). Our family has been vacationing in Door County since my Dad was a young teenager and we have created so many happy memories there over the years at the family lakefront home – Pebble Beach was always a favorite stop for swimming and skipping stones. The sky was clear and blue, the waves lapping gently along the shoreline, and the sun shining down on us. Beautiful words were shared, tears were shed, and hearts were full of love and admiration for my Mom. I want to share what I said at this gathering with all of you…

Today we gather to celebrate and honor a very special person to each one of us. Someone who filled so many different roles – a life partner and spouse, a daughter-in-law, an aunt, a loving grandmother, a sister-in-law, mother-in-law, daughter, sister, a colleague and guide to three children who are so very blessed to be hers.

We are celebrating her life of love which was filled with purpose and a dedication and deep love for family. We celebrate her spiritual growth and strength and for the incredible grace, poise, and peace she demonstrated in her final days with us.

Today is not goodbye. There will never be a goodbye because we will continue to carry our memories and our shared moments, our precious time with you in our hearts forever. You will continue to guide us, your light with pave our path, your kindness will continue to inspire us and your spiritual insight will uplift us.

You mean so much to each one of us here today and we rejoice for the gift of your love, your friendship, your support and guidance. We celebrate your radiant expression and we will continue forward with grateful hearts.

“Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

II Corinthians