Reflections Of A Small World

On Saturday, my husband and I attended a funeral.  It was for Wayne, the brother of Tim, a very dear close friend of ours.  The funny thing is that when I was 18 years old I used to work and party with Tim’s parents.  I hadn’t seen them in 36 years.

It was a very strange day filled with all kinds of emotions.  It started out with me trying to figure out what kind of clothes I was going to put together for a funeral.  I no longer own any business suits, jackets or anything truly that I would have normally worn.  Once again I was mad at myself for letting myself go.  I finally did manage to pull something together. 

It was a beautiful service, and as I set there I thought to myself I’d better pay attention to how these things go because I will more than likely be planning one for my parents in the years to come. 

Each family member wrote down a story of a fond memory that they had with their brother, Wayne.  I loved them, they really made me feel like I had a great understanding of what kind of guy he was.  After that they had a video presentation of some great photo’s of family and friends through out his life.  His father, who is a great singer had recorded “Danny Boy” and “My Way” to play in the back ground during the presentation.  It was so very beautiful.

As the service was ending my husband saw a friend of his, Rebecca, who’s husband, Gary had just passed away.   In this small world we live in all of our lives were crossed and brought together in the saddest connection.  Gary had passed away not only on the same day as Wayne, but in the same hour!  And it turns out Wayne and Gary knew each other, their families were close.

After the service we went to Tim and Jack’s house for the reception.  It was great reconnecting with his parents and reminiscing about old times and it helped to remove some of the sadness.  I saw a lot of friends from my past and present which conjured up a mountain of emotions, both sad and happy. 

After leaving I felt sad, I reflected on the day, the chain of events that brought all of us together.  How this should be a warning to take better care of myself.  Why had I let myself go so badly?  Why have I let my life become a cluttered giant mess of unhealthy crap?  I am not depressed, so what has caused me to become so lazy with an I don’t care attitude.  But then I remembered what I always say “Everything happens for a reason”!  And at that point I realized that I don’t need to feel sad for myself any longer because everything is correctable.  I am on the right track now, and I will pull myself back together, my life is not over.

In Loving Memory, may you both rest in peace… 

Our world was a better place and blessed because of you.

 

Wayne J. Brown, Jr.

December 30, 1962 - January 16, 2010

Gary B. Millington

June 1, 1957 - January 16, 2010