by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: February 24, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

A good friend went through the sorrow and joy of celebrating her brother's birthday one year after his untimely death. She spent the day with her mother and close family members. Grieving is a straining process and I am not making light of it. Especially, as it has affected my own life by my father's murder, loss of friends through suicide, cancer or the like and my own mother's current battle with Alzheimer's.

I celebrate life, so I wrote this to my friend. I share it now with you:

At what point do we think our dearly departed loved ones want us to continuously weep over them? They are in heaven above (if you believe in such a thing) and
smiling down, no doubt saying "What's Happenin'?"
I have lost so many friends in recent years and in my warped mind,
I would hope that when we all meet in that great beyond our first conversation doesn't start out this way...

MJ: How's the food here?
Friend: We don't eat. We live on bliss!
MJ: Is that like a shake?
F: Same old MJ!
MJ: I cried a lot over you when you passed away!
F: I was right here! All you had to do was think of me!
MJ: Yeah...but...
F: I don't remember you calling me everyday...why cry everyday?
MJ: It's a personal thing, I guess!
F: How about listening to my favorite music?
MJ: That happens...
F: You have a picture of me hanging around?
MJ: I think in a scrapbook...
F: Did you ever tell anyone about the time we drank those beers and chased the...
MJ: Good point!
F: You see...It's a short walk..and when your time comes...It's not that bad!
MJ: But I missed you!
F: I was always with you! More than when I was on that revolving orb we called Earth!
MJ: But you were not with me in person!
F: Yes, but...in your heart... I never have to say goodbye! I was always there! Close by you.
MJ: (Changing the subject) So... no lobster up here?
F: When did I ever eat lobster?
MJ: Oh..I thought...
F: How much did you know about me?
MJ: Point taken! What do we do about the people we left behind?
F: We see them when they call. We hear them when they whisper. It's cool.
Except when it interrupts our bocce game!
MJ: Whose playing?
F: Grandma...and your great great great uncle Rastus!
MJ: Say what?!

Smile! Life is not that bad.
Especially when you surround yourself with the people you love.
Here now and then.

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