The words of a science fiction character…well wishes from a race of logical beings that have trained themselves to control and even eliminate their emotions (if that’s really even possible). But wise and kind they are.
Today we burried my Grandmother. For me and the rest of my family, it was far from emotionless. Having nearly reached the age of 94 years, and bringing up and positively influencing four children, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, it would seem she did heed that advice, and heeded it well.
She had a good, long life, and in the end, really didn’t seem to suffer. We were all fortunate enough to have the time to visit with her…to laugh and cry together…and to face head on the certainty of what was to come. We know she was ready and that she is now in peace. We are comforted by these things, as well as the many wonderful memories and traditions she has given to us. She will always be with us, and I’m very grateful to have been fortunate enough to have had her in my life.
Yet mixed with the gentle smiles that emerge on our faces when we find ourselves thinking of her, come the tears at the recognition that we will miss her dearly. Our lives have now changed forever, as we will no longer enjoy the company of someone that has been a part of our entire lives to this point. We instead must be content with our memory of her. Fortunately, there are many wonderful memories upon which we can draw.
She created a wonderful legacy, and even in her death provided an opportunity for the family to strengthen the bonds we have with each other. For a woman who never boarded an airplane, she certainly understood the philosophy of a fictional culture from beyond the stars.