Celebrate Life When Alive
I recently attended memorial services for a wonderful woman who had everything to live for. High school sweetheart husband, 3 smart and handsome sons, loving siblings, life-long friends, beautiful home, great hobbies, and meaningful volunteer work. 400 people attended the wake, 400 more attended the funeral. A slideshow on a big screen displayed the history of her life. The eulogies were heartfelt, loving, and inspiring. Her family and friends spoke of her with admiration and love, mixed in with quirky funny stories of times they shared. The “celebration of her life party” was held in her own backyard. A sunny day, great food and wine. She would have loved it. She was the guest of honor, unable to attend.
And that’s when I realized it would be a much better idea for all of us to pay tribute to each other while we are alive. Why are we so shy to tell each other how much we love them, how much our time with them is priceless? Maybe because we think we have more time than we do. So, why don’t we choose one person we love every year and throw a celebration party for them!? Eulogize the living. Let them hear words of praise and appreciation. Let’s make it a goal to let each other know how much we need and care for each other. We all need to be acknowledged and appreciated and admired and accepted for who we are. What better way than to have the living hear their praise. Have a celebration of life for the living!
LIFE GOES ON©
Kathleen Cairns, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples. You may call her at 860-236-5555 to make an appointment. She is the author of “The Psychotherapy Workbook.” You may email her at kathleen.cairns@mac.com and she will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.
www.kathleencairns.com
Life goes on… and every day matters…
