Thursday, July 30, 2009

We're All Dying

I don't mean to be dark and morbid, but I now know that this is true. JoAnne said this to me the other day. She said, "Mom, we are all dying and we just don't know which one of us will be next, but one of us will be." In the picture above, the three in the center are already in Heaven. In time, we will all be there together.

So that brings up a question. What do I need to do differently in light of that truth? Certainly it shifts priorities. Acquiring more of anything is a low priority. Living with passion is a high priority. Loving and serving people is the highest priority. Leaving them with a sense of being special and valuable and necessary--that's what Joey did so well. That's why we grieve him.

He lived with passion and infected the rest of us with it. He loved each one of us in a special way. He truly made life so much better for all of us, he can never be replaced. I want to follow in his footsteps and leave a shining mark on those around me.
Like Joey did.
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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Once again I feel the love your so had for Joey. I also feel your need to be the best you can. I know your faith is strong and I know your hurt will forever be fresh. God just keeps nudging us in the back to move forward, my good and faithfull servant.
Love Sharon
What a wonderful picture!!!

Liza on Maui said...

True, Joey is well remembered for living a life to the fullest and loving those around him. We love him too.

True, we are all dying. Some grasp this concept better than others. If only people will realize this well, there would be less materialism all around.

Liza on Maui said...

someone quoted this on Twitter today:

The best legacy is not what we leave for people. It’s what we leave in people. - @joelosteenmin

Steve and Janna said...

Thanks Karen for sharing your lovely thoughts. You are a beautiful encouragement to me. Love, Janna

Amy said...

Know that you have been making people feel special and loved for many years. Clearly Joey learned that from his parents.

Jeri said...

That's so beautiful! Thanks Karen.

Love,
Jeri

Cliff said...

"Living with passion is a high priority. Loving and serving people is the highest priority."


I hate that the "busyness" of my days distracts me from the ultimate priorities. Thank you for being another voice reminding that all of the stuff and busyness of our lives doesn't really matter... It's God and relationships, right?

Cliff

Gberger said...

I agree with this. We all are dying...life is "terminal," if you will. It's much easier to live in acceptance of this, than in fear of it. But it's only because of Katie's passing that I really know this. Thank you for your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I laughed out loud at your title with the pic there for us all to understand. It wasn't meant to be funny at all but it's a funny little fact of life that life is unpredictable not matter the obvious.

My parents and grandparents both outlived at least one of their children. My mother outlived my father by 20 years and she was deathly ill all her life leaving me to be the parent. My great aunt lived to 102 smoking 3 packs of cigarettes a day.

Some people never grow up and yet some people are born old.

I love how bluntly honest you are and it makes your personality very attractive.