Family, friends, rum & coke, smokes, full belly laughs

Yesterday I went to one of the best funerals ever. I know, weird thing to say.

The congregation was there to celebrate a man who laughed from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. He loved music, his camp, a good rum and coke and his smokes. More than that, he loved his family and friends. He loved his community and served it very well. He had a huge heart and he touched many lives with his goodness.

There was a slide show with completely appropriate music for him. There were laughs as people watched the pictures go by on the big screen. Pictures of a man living life to the ultimate fullest.

There was a jam session. Yes, in the church a young man played guitar, stomped his foot and sang a compilation of old tunes. The whole congregation was singing. I could almost feel Pete smiling from above, loving every minute of it. It was so touching. A packed church, all connected for a time by music and sweet memories of a great man.

There were stories. More laughs. A few tears. The minister was so down to earth. His “sermon” didn’t preach. He engaged the folks there. He was real and he portrayed the life of the person who passed so eloquently.

Many things were reinforced for me yesterday.

• Love life with your whole heart and soul.
• Be good and kind to others.
• Sit at the table with your enemy, kick his butt at cards but share your bottle of rum.
• Laugh until your whole body shakes and then laugh some more.
• Drop in to see people. Don’t call first. Pop in and say hi. You don’t have to stay long, just stop in to show you care.
• Leave a legacy of kindness in your wake.
• Cherish every second you have on this earth.
• Serve your family, friends and community well.

 The world lost a great person last Thursday. The other side acquired a beautiful spirit.

So yesterday a celebration of a life taken too soon by cancer. Tonight, a celebration of life taken too soon by tragedy. In a couple days, a life taken too soon by illness. A lot of loss lately. Much time to reflect. We really don’t get a second chance. We have one life to live and we have to make it good. 

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life." I have these words on my bedroom wall. I look at them every morning when I wake up. I have never been more determined to live in the now and it live it large with family and friends, maybe the odd rum and coke and lots more full belly laughs.

Rest in Peace Pete.

XO