In Memory....

"Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men."
Quintus Ennius

Today I went to the cemetery to pay tribute to loved ones lost. We scrubbed the weathered head stone with a brush and lime-away until it was free of dirt and debris.

Walking around the cemetery I saw so many people bringing flowers and staking pin-wheels to the ground. Entire families relaxed in camping chairs eating picnic food around a grave. Some wore smiles and received family with hugs and joy, while others wept, giving reverent attention to that space in their hearts that still hadn't quite healed. Tears of joy. Tears of pain.

So many stories...

Walking around the cemetery I found myself looking at the graves without mums and balloons. What was there story? Did they love? Did they have children? Did they make a difference in the world? Did they leave someone behind? In a hundred years, will my grave look as abandoned as theirs?

I don't mean to be morbid, but today really got me thinking about my own mortality. A keen reminder that we have only a short time to live. I mean REALLY live. A reminder that goals can't collect cob webs and relationships need extra fostering.

How will people remember you?