How Do You Say Goodbye?

loosing a loved one is something so difficult, so painful and so humbling for those left behind. we each deal with the loss in different ways and at different times based upon our beliefs and perceptions of life and death. having been faced with the loss of 3 different loved ones this year, i have begun to ponder how, as christians, we should say goodbye to each other. in such a difficult time in one's life it is often so hard to see past the grief that seems to come so naturally to us. however, if we are believers and our loved one is a believer should we spend so much time in despair? when saying our final goodbyes to our loved ones should we be shedding tears of heartache and despair or should we shed tears for our loss but in our hearts rejoice in knowing they have been restored in Christ. they are no longer sick, no longer hurting. they have fought the good fight. they have finished the race, and they have kept the faith. most importantly they are with someone who loves them more deeply and more perfectly than we could ever dream. there is a great deal of comfort in that for me. i will admit that i am still not finished crying all my tears for captain, and i probably never will be. when someone fills your heart the way he did mine, it is hard not to continue mourn his memory. but the Lord blessed me through captain and i should turn those tears to praise to God for captain's life and how it changed me.

this brings me back to my original question though. how should we say goodbye to each other? do we have solemn services or celebrations of life? it is such a difficult question to answer and truly it is one that everyone has to reconcile within themselves.

for me, i ask that should the Lord call me home before i grow old and gray, please celebrate my returning to the Lord. let your tears of sorrow be few and remember me with a smile. for if my heart is at peace, let it be well with your soul.

peace and love.