It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.
When my dad died last 1988, I was only 14 years old. I wasn't close with my dad but he was the first person closest to me to pass away. From an immature age of 14, my mind aged to that of an adult. But this was unknown to me during that time.
I am now 40 years old. Here are some of the things I have learned about death.
1. The issues you once thought important become petty. You argue less because you suddenly realize that wanting to always be right isn't that important after all.
2. The things that you used to call cheesy lost its cheese. What once was awkward for you to say to your family, now become part of your lingo like I love you and I care for you. If before you rarely had time, now you make time.
3. It is not true that you are not affected when someone in your family dies. Whether you "hate" the person or not. You are affected. Perhaps you don't realize what his/her death means to you right away, but you are or will be affected.
4. The effect of someone passing away is not the same for everyone. Some cry. Some are deadma or in denial. Some laugh it off. Some get angry. Some get depressed. Some hide and can't be reached. However way they mourn, it is not for us to judge.
5. There is hope. The pain fades as the years go by. However with that being said, the tears don't totally disappear. You find yourself remembering at odd moments in your life and cry.
I have learned that the death of a loved one is not always the cessation of life. Sometimes it takes the death of a loved one for a person to starting living. We start to ponder on the true essentials by asking ourselves, "Is this all there is to life", "where will I go when I die", "why did this happen to me", "is there a God", "does He listen to my prayers".
Death is a certainty for everyone. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor, famous or not. But how you live your life and the legacy you leave behind is what matters. For me personally, there is only one legacy that I want to leave behind. That I have lived a life pleasing to God.
This reminds me of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. (John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.)
Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins so that those who believe in Him will have life. With Jesus' death came life. He died so that we may live. (John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.)
My wish for those who are still alive is in Psalms 90:12
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
The living should take this to heart....
