Lenten Meditation: Eulogize your Living Loved One
/First posted March, 2016:
eulogy noun, plural eulogies.
1. a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honor of a deceased person.
2. high praise or commendation.
In our week’s Lenten meditation (A Word of Family Affection) , we are focusing on the Lord’s care for His dear mom as His own death approaches. How tender, how like a beloved son of a beloved mom! Caring for our treasured loved ones is at the heart of “family” in the purest sense of the word.
However, we often forget that true caring can be much deeper and more needed than merely physical care, as critical as that is. There’s a caring that touches heart and soul…one that meeting physical needs approaches, but a caring that perhaps only loving words can reach.
We busily go through our lives, often thinking many kind thoughts and feeling loving, appreciative sentiments for our loved ones, but not stopping to put words and voice to them…nourishing the soul of ones we love.
Rather what do we traditionally do? We wait until the person has passed away to express those words, words that deep down she may have been longing to hear. We give those golden words to others in the form of a eulogy, either formally or informally delivered, at a funeral or memorial service.
I’ve been thinking a lot about death these days, especially since my dear mom has gone to her reward with Jesus in heaven just last November. About eight years ago, several of my siblings had the wonderful brain-child to celebrate my mom’s 85th birthday with a big party/reunion. This was a huge deal with music, singing, readings and fun!
As part of that, many of us wrote, in a sense, our eulogies to her, and my son Jeremy compiled them in a book with photos. And as wonderful as the entire occasion was, the most important thing was that little volume of golden words.
I’m not sure my mom was able to take it all that day. But I do know something was received…she was honored with words of love, affection, and affirmation. And she looked through that book while she was in the Manor House Senior Center, and who knows but many memories kicked in when she viewed not just words but alsophotos of loved ones.
So dear friends, don’t wait too long! Don’t even wait till 85…life is a vapor!
I really believe that a big part of our grief over the loss of a loved one is really regret (which can eat us alive!). Seize the opportunity to just simply say the beautiful, wonderful things you think and feel, even right then and there in the moment. You don’t need a big bash to do it! Don’t assume the person knows how you feel!We are all insecure enough to NOT KNOW!
You will be glad you did…but most of all, your loved one will be “cared for” in the depths of her soul!
For His honor and glory! Amen!
