Circle of Life

This weekend I have the privilege of coordinating a wedding for two young people. As silly as it sounds, it never gets old to hear the words spoken at a wedding, the promises made and the love that fills the room. Oh, I know that one in two marriages doesn't make it and that there will be struggles in the years to come that no young couple realizes on their wedding day. They still start out with hopefulness and love in their eyes, as they should.
The following weekend I also have the privilege of coordinating a memorial service for a gentleman I have never met. His son contacted me and did a wonderful job of describing his father, his long life and what mattered to him. It has inspired me to create a reception for the family and friends that will be filled with dignity, kindness and a fitting tribute to his father. Some would say one is event is happy ~ a beginning and the other is sad ~ an ending. While this may be true, there is also a level that both are the same. They are celebrations of milestones in our life. We pause from our ordinary time and acknowledge that something has happened here. We celebrate both the beginning and the ending. We do this by gathering with family and friends, telling stories, laughing, crying, and breaking bread. We all become a witness for each other. I can't think of a better gift to give.