Joy and Grief

Today Mr. Lipstick and I attended the funeral of a dear friend whose body finally succumbed to the catastrophic effects of cancer. He went to Heaven about 5 am on Thursday morning. His passing was peaceful, he was surrounded by the ones he loved, and he was secure in his faith. It was everything you want...when you think about death.

His death was also everything you don't want. He was 45 years old with a beautiful wife and two young children. The cancer was aggressive and so was the treatment he endured.

The death of a friend elicits grief on so many levels. There is, of course, the sadness that you feel for the loved ones remaining on earth, and then the inevitable evaluation of your own mortality.

Today was thoroughly beautiful and poignant. The service was held at our beloved church. There were pictures of our friend and his family everywhere, even scrolling by on the monitors in the hallway. Notecards were placed on two large tables in the foyer so that we could write messages to his children. Two of our pastors spoke eloquently, the choir director sang "I Can Only Imagine," a business associate read a thank you letter from our friend's wife, and the service concluded with the "Hallelujah Chorus."

I believe with every fiber of my being that our friend now resides in Heaven with the Savior he so loved. It's just sad in our little corner of earth right now.

ETA: I cannot stop crying. Please pray for this family who just lost their 11 month old daughter after a two and a half week battle with cancer.