Recently, a distant cousin of my father passed away. Now I have no idea how this works in other families, but for my father, such events mean sending an email with some general background on what happened, and how we are related to the person. So this distant cousin who my sisters and I barely remember got an email. But in this email, my father proceeded to give us not only the history of how we were related to her but also his memory of her. He wrote of her joy and enthusiasm for life, as well as her general goodness to those around her. Simple words; but unendingly powerful.
I have always respected my dad, but today I was brought to tears by that email. That this funny, crazy father of mine, has underneath all of his ridiculousness a deep kindness and caring for those around him. I cannot quite put into words the loving intensity that I found in that simple email. That, upon hearing the news one of his is first thoughts was to take the time to write out a letter to his daughters so that we too, could hear the story of her passing and know that though she my be a relative stranger, a good woman was gone.
His note made me hope for two things. One is to both be and marry someone one day with that depth of kindness. Someone that sees the beauty in the people around them and wants to share it with others. And two, I hope I may live a life worthy of such an email one day. That when I pass on some distant friend or relative upon getting the news conjures up thoughts of my joy and enthusiasm. That I may bring some sort of light to the lives of others and that if nothing else I stand as a reminder to them of some good time and the wonder that is this world around us.
My dad finshed his email to us girls with this thought:
"So--live to the fullest. Be good and be happy. If you ever have to choose between the two, be good.
love, Dad"
And that dad, is exactly what I intend. Thank you for the reminder.
'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.' 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
