Wednesday, December 31











Happy New Year to one and all! I hope that you and your families will have a banner year in every respect. After the last one, we deserve it, don't we?


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The funeral was moving; both sad and joyful at the same time. I told my friend (the widow) that she had definitely chosen the best people to speak. One was her nephew, who met John when he was six and found a friend for life. His speech about meeting John and what he had eventually meant to his life and to the family was inspiring, and unexpected in one so young (about 30). He is a newlywed, and his wife was beaming in her love and admiration for him.

The other speaker was a former neighbor; a gynecologist who was mentored by John (a general practitioner and radiologist) and grew to love and admire him as they celebrated all things relating to their Alma Mater, The University of North Carolina, especially sports.

I knew his wife much better than him, but I feel as though I know him a little better now, and I see why he was beloved by everyone who came into contact with him. We should all be so lucky, and we should all live our lives so as to make that happen.

A final note....I wondered why the services were held at a funeral home that is not as well-known as some around here. I found out that John had delivered the infant who became the owner of the funeral home. See? You just never know where the ripples will stop when you cast that stone upon the waters.

Make it a great year!



18 comments:

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Soi glad that the Funeral was so very meaningful....That is what a Funeral should do, I think...When you leave, if you feel you wish you had known the person better, than the people who spoke have really done the person and their family, proud!

I hope that 2009 will be a WONDERFUL WONDERFUL Year, my dear Judy, for you and for ALL those that you love....! May it be filled with GOOD HEALTH, MUCH HAPPINESS and much Joyous Creative Abundance, in every way....!

Eddie said...

Yes, we do deserve a better year. Hopefully no funerals to attend in 2009.

MaR said...

Wishing you all the best for 2009, kenju!
Hugs from the Alps

Kay Dennison said...

Sounds lovely!!!

I hope I never get what I deserve. I want mercy -- not justice!

Happy New Year!!!!

Bear Naked said...

Happy New Year to you and your family.

Bear((( )))

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful lesson for all of us!

Judy I wish you and Mr Kenju a happy, healthy and fun filled year ahead.

Arkansas Patti said...

Such testimonials at a funeral speak of a life well lived. That should bring some measure of comfort to loved ones.
Hoping for a happy,healthy, and stress free New Year for you and yours.

Blonde Goddess said...

I hope the new year brings you as much joy as you bring to others! You are truly a blessing to so many!

Rick Rockhill said...

funerals do provide closure, and a forum for people to share their grief. But yes, difficult for all.

Happy New Year to you!

-Rick

tiff said...

Sad and happy at the same time - as it should be.

Here's to a wonderful '09!

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Sounds like a lovely celebration of a full and good life. Happy New Year!

themom said...

..AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS ALSO!

Dianne said...

"you never know where the ripples will stop"

beautiful sentiment

I wish you all good things for 2009 - we sure do deserve them!

sage said...

Happy New Year, Kenju.

I like the idea of him having his funeral in the home of one who he helped bring to life!

utenzi said...

Happy New Year to you too, Judy. My parents had two of their near neighbors die in the past week. Too many funerals for one small neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

A life well-lived leaves the world a better place. He sounds like he lived well.

Happy new year to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Judy,

Hope you and Mr. Kenju enjoy a wonderfully Happy and Healthy 2009.

You deserve it. On a daily basis you bring fun ,quotations,cartoons,life experiences and beautiful pictures to us and we really appreciate your efforts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, JUDY !!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Funeral are hard but if they can be made to be meaningful they can be so fulfilling. When I wrote my brother Jim's eulogy I remember thinking it was the most important thing I had ever written and all my writing came built to that point.

Happy New Years!