The service I attended was very personal and beautiful. I was amazed at the stories that were shared, especially since many had been friends with Pat since elementary school and were still close. I thought about the gift of friendship. I think one of the things I noticed was the number of longstanding friendships he shared. Many spanning more than 50 years.
He Had The Gift of Friendship
When I looked around the room I thought about that first piece of his legacy. He was a friend. He was a friend to ride the rapids with. How lucky we were to have had him and his family in our life.
I resolve to celebrate the friends in my life more often.
He Had The Gift of Laughter
Many of the people reminisced about the jokes he told. The stories he shared, the teasing - the laughter. Friends referred to the always present twinkle in his eyes. I remember his good natured teasing and his ready laughter.
I resolve to share more laughter.
He Had The Gift of Loyalty
He listened and kept confidences. Always there when you needed him. He had a way of making you feel important. He cared about people. He took commitment seriously.
I resolve to be constant and true with the people in my life.
He Had The Gift of an Open Heart
He gave his time and his resources with an open heart. He was not judgmental. He reached out in quiet ways. His presence was a steady influence. When he gave he gave freely.
I resolve to take more pleasure in helping others.
He Had The Gift of Courage
His battle with cancer was a hard fought battle. So many times he survived against great odds. In his obituary he was quoted as saying "The theme of my life became "Living With Cancer. He strove for quality of life over quantity."
I resolve to deal with my problems head on.
The service ended with two songs he had picked out to be played "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFeran and Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."
These were the lines from a Hallmark Card that spoke to me "Love will live on wherever a beautiful soul has been, the love still there will flower again. For memories bloom like a garden in spring - the sun still shines, and birds still sing, and a voice of hope seems to whisper like wind, - Love's never lost; love never ends - Wherever a beautiful soul has been."
Pat had a beautiful soul.
He Had The Gift of Friendship
When I looked around the room I thought about that first piece of his legacy. He was a friend. He was a friend to ride the rapids with. How lucky we were to have had him and his family in our life.
I resolve to celebrate the friends in my life more often.
He Had The Gift of Laughter
Many of the people reminisced about the jokes he told. The stories he shared, the teasing - the laughter. Friends referred to the always present twinkle in his eyes. I remember his good natured teasing and his ready laughter.
I resolve to share more laughter.
He Had The Gift of Loyalty
He listened and kept confidences. Always there when you needed him. He had a way of making you feel important. He cared about people. He took commitment seriously.
I resolve to be constant and true with the people in my life.
He Had The Gift of an Open Heart
He gave his time and his resources with an open heart. He was not judgmental. He reached out in quiet ways. His presence was a steady influence. When he gave he gave freely.
I resolve to take more pleasure in helping others.
He Had The Gift of Courage
His battle with cancer was a hard fought battle. So many times he survived against great odds. In his obituary he was quoted as saying "The theme of my life became "Living With Cancer. He strove for quality of life over quantity."
I resolve to deal with my problems head on.
The service ended with two songs he had picked out to be played "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFeran and Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."
These were the lines from a Hallmark Card that spoke to me "Love will live on wherever a beautiful soul has been, the love still there will flower again. For memories bloom like a garden in spring - the sun still shines, and birds still sing, and a voice of hope seems to whisper like wind, - Love's never lost; love never ends - Wherever a beautiful soul has been."
Pat had a beautiful soul.
What a lovely tribute to your friend. Your piece made me wish I could have met him. Everyone needs a Pat in their life.
ReplyDeleteI love the songs he chose for himself. This is a great post and shows how writing can help us process our feelings.
ReplyDeleteKevin
Yes it helped me to process things. Until I was writing I wasn't aware of some of my thoughts. Or the conclusions my mind had drawn.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post, with reminders for all of us. We all have the gifts, we must remember to share them.
ReplyDeleteIt is a special remembrance of your friend, written so lovingly. I hope you share it with his family. You have shown how much his life meant to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this - your friend was a special person indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. I especially like your reflective lines after each paragraph. I will share the text from the Hallmark card with my cousin, who lost her young daughter last summer. What a beautiful way to end a thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute! I love the way you gave the "gift" and then explained it more in detail. It was truly beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete