If he were here today we would probably be having chili for dinner tonight followed by angel food cake. He would have several ornery jokes as long as the news wasn't on tv and he would act like it was a challenge to blow out all the candles even though there would only be a few.
Celebrating today is more than celebrating the day a loved one joined the world. It is celebrating the memories we created and building new happy memories with those that are still here to celebrate.
So many times we wait for a special occasion to celebrate. What if the only occasion we needed was being together? What if the only occasion we needed was simply being alive?
I have different ideas on afterlife than most of the people I love. But if heaven is a place I just can't imagine it being anything but a big afterparty.
So today I propose a celebration! I propose an afterparty, not for those who have passed but for all of us who live to celebrate their memories. I propose embracing the gift we have in today and making new, fun memories.
I'm so grateful for all the memories made with Grandpa. I'm grateful to have taken the time to get to know him better in my adult life. I'm grateful for his sense of humor and all the silly songs he taught me. I'm grateful for his wisdom even when it bordered on conspiracy. I'm grateful for all the Tuesday night dinners and even more grateful for just popping in on occasion and getting some one on one time. I'm grateful for the stories he shared and the memories of my Grandma. I'm grateful for their love and that their hearts are together again. I'm grateful to celebrate in his honor today!
How can you celebrate life today? How can you honor the memories of those you love?
May today remind us the present is a present in itself. May we celebrate each day we are here and may whatever comes next be one big, happy after party! Have a beautiful day!