A beautiful sentiment...

A friend of mine from Omaha posted a lovely meditation the other day that I felt needed to be re-posted here and given a great deal of thought too...She posted it from a passage entitled "Meditations before Kaddish"

I have always been intrigued by rituals and rites of different cultures and religions. For those who may not know, the Kaddish is a hymn of praise to God found in the Jewish Prayer Service. The central theme of the Kaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God's name.

The term "Kaddish" is often used to refer specifically to "The Mourner's Kaddish" and is said as part of the mourning rituals in Judaism in all prayer services, as well as at funerals and memorials. When mention is made of "saying Kaddish", this refers to the rituals of mourning. Mourners say Kaddish to show that despite the loss they still praise God.

What I love about the former statement is the fact that even through suffering and mourning, we still find ways to praise and worship. As we struggle through death and the overwhelming sadness, it is important to celebrate a life well lived. 

The following follows this example and is from the above mentioned passage ...

"When I die give what's left of me away

to children and old men that wait to die.

And if you need to cry,

cry for your brother walking the street beside you.

And when you need me, put your arms around anyone

and give them what you need to give me.

I want to leave you something,

something better than words or sounds.

Look for me in the people I've known or loved,

and if you cannot give me away,

at least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.

You can love me best by letting hands touch hands,

and by letting go of children that need to be free.

Love doesn't die, people do.

So, when all that's left of me is love, 

give me away."

Isn't that beautiful?

In the midst of all the sadness and grief, we are encouraged to look into the eyes of others and see the love that was placed there by our loved one. The passage tells us to be selfless and place our focus forward. I absolutely love that.

I think the most profound statement is "LOVE doesn't die, PEOPLE do." and encourages us to give all of the love that was poured into our hearts and soul by our loved one away to the others around us. I firmly believe that the love will multiple leaps and bounds and will never be extinguished. I think this is profound and beautiful and joyous.

Carry on, my fellow sojourners...

Carry on with these thought in mind...