Live the kind of life so that when the end comes, people don’t have to lie. I’m not sure who said this. Or if the quote can be attributed to one particular person. But there’s truth in this statement. And I am often reminded of this statement when I am at a funeral or a memorial service for a loved one. It happened again yesterday. Hubby Rick and I attended the service for a lovely woman who used to be our neighbor, Kathleen.

Ephesians 5:15-17 – Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. It happens to me. All. The. Time. I’m not realistic about how much time something will take. Or how much I can get done in a day. What I can achieve. I overestimate what I can get done and underestimate how long something will take. Day after day after day.

Soon it will be six months since Unraveling Together: Sharing the Threads of Grief officially became a published book. Often, it’s helpful to purposefully reflect upon one’s work and efforts. It may seem a little strange to do this here, in this space. Please give me a little grace as I celebrate this little bit of me that has become so important to me. Here are some lessons from my own personal Unraveling Together: Sharing the Threads of Grief journey.

“Is Grandpa in the car,” our littlest grandchild asked as I picked her up from school one day. No, honey, he isn’t. “Where IS he?” she asked, which was followed by a conversation of how we could hunt Grandpa down. And then the line that made me smile, followed by a giggle. “You know, Grandpa is the funniest person in my family. Actually, he’s the funniest person I know.” Out of the mouth of a 6-year-old. Giggles abounded all around us as we walked to the car,

I have spent too much of my life chasing the big stuff, only to discover that real life happens in the small stuff. Watching the sun rise or set. Getting ice cream with a couple grandchildren. A beautifully written note from a dear person. Helping a grandchild with their school project. Assistance when you are in over your head. The smile on a person’s face when you’ve been able to help them. The appreciation when you really listen to someone.