What can I learn?

This week hasn't been the most pleasant week. Two very special people in my way have passed away.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the calling hours and funeral for my great aunt. She was a very sweet lady, very patient too. She was a peacemaker. I wasn't very close to my aunt, but it still felt like a piece of me was missing. I felt bad for my uncle who has now watched his 4 siblings and his wife die. So strange. Can you imagine how that feels? I can't.

I was sitting in the funeral service on Wednesday behind my uncle who was sobbing. I wanted to just give him a hug. I can't stand watching men cry. It's heart wrenching. Anyway, I was just sitting there asking God to not only give comfort to my family, but asking Him what could I learn from all of this and how could I be a blessing in this situation?

I can't lie and say it wasn't nice to see some old relatives. It was. We only see each other at weddings and funerals. Not many people in the family have been getting married though. Kind of a downer that all we're left with is funerals. But it was so nice to see distant relatives and old friends just talking about the "good old days." I hope I can have that when I'm well into my years.

On Tuesday night, as many of you know, my uncle also passed away. This one is a tougher pill for me to swallow. This is like losing another grandfather. I was much closer to him than I was to my aunt (who was on another side of the family if you don't know). I can only say good things about him. What I can't seem to get over is the Sunday before he had his stroke, I went out to lunch with him, my aunt, my grandma, and Tina. I'm just glad my last words to him were "Thank you," and "I love you."

I don't mourn the loss of him because I know he's much better off where he is now. He's seeing all the fruits of his labor and enjoying God's overwhelming presence. I just mourn because it happened so fast. I just think about those he left behind.

So God is still answering my question on what can I learn from all of this and how can I be a blessing in these situations. But here's what I got so far....
-God is in everything good in your life because everything good in your life stems from love. He's in love you share with the people around you.
-And His love comforts, it protects, and casts out fear, so always be on the lookout to love. Do the best you can.
-Family, even distant relatives, are blessings. You can all learn from them. If there's closeness there, it's not a bond easily broken.
-If your earthly family is strong here, how much more is God's family?
-To sound cliche, you never know what tomorrow brings, so be prepared.
-Think about what you want people to say at your funeral. It makes you think. How do you live your dash?
-Death was never God's intention. How silly were we to chose it?

That's basically all for today. Sorry if this was too long. This was just kind of me venting.