Death has no Favorites

Death has no favorites,

he has no rhyme or reason.

At times he is a thief in the night,

Others he tortures and teases for weeks.

In the past three months we have lost my 12 year old step sister, a good friend who was 32 and about to become a father for the first time, and today we lost Jordan's aunt in her golden years.

12, 32, 62- No, death has no favorites and takes what he wants.

We are tired of this sad feeling, this sense of loss and heartbreak for those who also hurt. It is overwhelming and hard to process. Why?

And then we think of those who have left us behind...

Sweet Catrina, only twelve years young and somehow managed to fill an entire sanctuary of 300 plus people at her memorial service. 300 people... You wanna know how she did it at only the age of 12? She lived and she loved fearlessly. Yes, her life may have been hard at times and she had a lot to deal with at such a young age, but did it stop her?

Did it fill her heart with fear?

Did she let herself become a victim?

No, she chose love. And not just in a small way... She loved big and loud and crazy! She could disarm anyone with just her greeting. "hi my name is Catrina! Wanna be my friend?" she wasn't afraid of rejection or let a grumpy unfriendly face stop her. Life bubbled from her every pore... Vibrant, innocent and very alive. How could only a twelve year be so wise? A short life well lived- she didn't waste a minute. She would get up in front of a crowd of strangers and sing the most beautiful song just to see someone smile.

How do you fill a room with three hundred people after your gone?

Love, love fiercly, love fearlessly..

Catrina may we have an ounce of your vigor for life.

Kenny, 32 just about to have his first son and death took him away just six days before. This man left a legacy far beyond any words I could describe. Within the first three days of his passing a whole town rallied together behind his wife and soon to be son, offering not only emotional support but financial support- in a big way too.  

How does one man at the prime of his life get an entire community and beyond to rally together in this way?

Kenny poured out.... No matter where he was work, church, the coffee shop- he poured out his heart and soul.

He loved genuinely, cared always.

So much so, that in a weeks time his legacy spread out of his hometown and into all different parts of Southern California and even strangers are finding ways to help. It's overwhelming to watch....

32 years of life well lived, enough to leave a legacy for all time.

Kenny may we all pour out, give, and love in a way that you did, in a way that lasts for all eternity.

Aunt Suzy, talented and artistic in so many ways. Your photographs could speak a thousand words. You loved wholly and selflessly supported those closest to you to no end. Your laugh is timeless and could fill up an entire room. This was the time, the era of your life where you were supposed to live in the golden years, take up hobbies you might have let go for a while, watch your grand kids grow up, take your dream vacation.....This was your time and now it's been taken away from you.

May we take advantage of the days, months, and years we have now...

Let us not wait to retire to pick up those hobbies, enjoy the talents we were given, or spend time with our loved ones. The later years they are not promised and may we all love as Aunt Suzy.

12, 32, 62- age makes no difference.

Death will have its sting... But you know what?

Death only hurts on this side of heaven.

Because up there, they're having a party, celebrating life and love.

We have hope that this life, it's only the beginning of eternity.

We have purpose.

And we can learn to love fearlessly like Catrina,

Give endlessly like Kenny and

Create and appreciate beauty like Suzy did.

So that when death chooses to come knocking on our front doors,

We won't be afraid....

And just maybe our lives can leave a legacy,

One that reaches beyond all time,

And maybe just one person will find the hope that we have.