The summarized life eulogy
A funeral is a place of sorrow, grieving and celebrating the life of someone who held a place in our lives.
Their presence would have contributed to moments which helped shape a life.
The celebration of their life gives positive reinforcement of great memories and another perspective of who they really are and the impact that was felt and received.
It wasn’t until recently I began to give deep thought to what contributions, impacts I would like to have in the lives of others.
Hearing the sad and despondent news that a close family member had succumbed to her sickness brought an instant confrontation of reality on a deeper level. A tragic loss at the young age of 30 years old.
The continuation of life for a 4 year old son who will never know his true mother or father.
A courageous person who battled addiction and fortitude to change her life to impact the lives of others around her.
Three Eulogies were read by her closest friends that grew with her in various stages of her life.
Her closest friend, best friend since public school, described her vivid personality, uniqueness, bright smile, openness, lust for life, vibrant, strong willed, intelligent, fearless, and personable character.
Stories were shared of her infectious desire to live and enjoy life. Most importantly, her life mission to overcome and help others defeat life altering addictions that inflict them.
One resonating experience centered around her best friend’s father, who was suffering from alcohol addiction and the helplessness the family faced to try and help him gain control and change his life.
Without hesitation she assured her best friend she would help and to leave the situation with her.
The result turned out to be convincing her friends father to attend a rehab meeting with her. The father has transformed his life and is now 8 years sober and the family is thankful to have had the opportunity to share those moments in her life.
The eulogy did not portray the picture of someone who simply fought an addiction. It was a person who fought to live and to help others join the same fight.
My family still mourns the loss of a fragile life taken away too soon.
We can take comfort in knowing that she lived life on her terms, gave back to the world that surrounded her and tried the best she could to change her life into something greater.
The pastor shared an example about each person’s life and the significance it has in the world around them.
He explained, standing on the edge of a small pond, pick up a small rock and toss it into the water. Notice what happens next. Initially the rock will impact the water creating a small splash, then a rippling of the water occurs extending outwardly.
He continued to explain that the ripples will extend to the shoreline of the pond altering the formation of the sand and changing the shape of the surrounding reeds.
If you think of the rock as yourself and insert yourself in the lives of others (water) no matter how small you think you might be in this world, we really do have a greater effect on everything we connect with than we realize.
Sometimes a plan needs to be examined starting from the end. Thinking about my life eulogy may assist in understanding how I want to connect and contribute in life.
- How would you like to impact the lives of others around you?
- In what ways would you want to be remembered?
- What do you envision as the legacy of your life?
- What would you want others to say about you or describe who you were as a person?
- When can you begin living as the person and life you envision? (list things you can do now to make it happen)