Making Memories continues after Death

Last Sunday I went to the Memorial service of a 38-year-old man who died of a heart attack and left behind a 9-year-old daughter, a 13-year-old son and his wife who was his HS sweetheart. It was held at a local performance center Edmonds Center for the Arts and was packed from wall to wall. Every seat was full and even standing guests in the lobby

listened to the program. They called the event Jed’s Final Show as he was an actor and a life long performer of all sorts!

He was a business partner of my very close and dear friend who also is also an Event planner. Now I have planned a lot of memorials but this one shook me more than the others. The stage was decorated with 4 simple items; a chair spotlighted with his urn, a large picture of him and a painting done by his daughter. Above the projector screen flashed pictures of his life, friends, the birth of his kids, his wedding…..

Then a gentleman walked up to the podium on stage to welcome us and start the program. He had mentioned that he was going to invite multiple people up on stage to speak on Jed’s behalf, share stories and give performances but first he wanted to share something.

His story consisted of facts about Jed’s life but also a very interesting concept that still to this day, I have not forgotten. He shared that he believed when we speak about a person who has passed away we are in fact continuing to make memories about that person. Each time that we speak their name or share a story about them, that they are living in our minds and hearts and we are continuing to make memories of them even after death.

Now, this had been so impactful for me as I have personally lost most of my biological family plus many close friends in my short 36 years of life.

They say “practice makes perfect” but I don’t believe that to be true with death. The more we experiences it, the less we get better at it.

Since that memorial service, I have begun to write letters to the people in my life that have passed away. I imagine that someday they will be compiled in a book and others can relate to my experiences.

Though our loved ones may not physically be close, they are always near by in our thoughts and our memories.