The Art of Living

Today I attended a funeral for my friend (and client), Esther Alexander. On an ordinary morning, about four weeks ago, Esther woke up feeling sick and out of sorts. Even with great medical attention, her condition rapidly declined and by the end of that day she had barely survived a paralyzing stroke. When I visited her in the hospital, it was very traumatic and hard for me to see her, once, on the ventilator, and the last time, as she tried to talk after they removed the ventilator. I began to pray that I would some day remember Esther the way I knew her before the stroke.

I came to know Esther as she needed guidance when retiring from Boeing a few years back. Thank goodness she spent her life surrounded by family and friends, and finally her last few years antiquing, collecting buttons and enjoying "lazy days" with her husband. Who could have known she wouldn't get to spend anywhere near the average time spent in retirement?

Today at her funeral, and through her online guestbook I've been able to confirm how well she lived her 61 years on earth. The central message has been that Esther was generous to friends and strangers alike. At the funeral they played The Rain song by Credence Clearwater Revival, a CRAZY Zydeco song she loved called My Feet Can't Fail Me Now (you really should give it a listen and a shake), some Patsy Cline and finally a beautiful version of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

Today I remember Esther as she was when I met her. Through her life and death, she has inspired me to do better with the days I'm given. Now, what was it I wanted to do before bed tonight? Is there anything you want to do yet?