In Memoriam...

Ever since I could remember, People Magazine has released their annual 'In Memoriam' to honor those in entertainment who passed away during the year.  While waiting in the check-out line, I'm pretty sure I've skimmed through the glossy pages of at least 20+ years of them.  Inevitably, there are always faces that cause me to pause and reflect upon how these people practicing their craft, touched my heart.  Peter Falk and Harry Morgan were included in this year's edition.  They are faces from my childhood.

Sigh.

Obviously, those people who made it into the magazine have a huge fan base.  More importantly, they have families, people who will miss them desperately.  Their absence will be felt by their loved ones less for what they did on the big or small screen but more for the impact they made upon their families. 

Considering this made me wish I had, at my disposal, the funds to properly reverence the beautiful people I've been richly blessed to know who have passed on this year...those who have touched so many lives and are absolutely deserving of accolades from a nationally published magazine.  Yet, their quiet acts of service to others, their many kindnesses and the goodness they brought to the earth, will regrettably, go unknown to the mass population.

I'm still getting use to this idea.  And of being old enough to see the older generation pass away...even more, outliving the younger generation.  I don't know that I'll ever get use to that.

A beautiful, young mother lost her life to domestic violence this year.  He-Man and I were her Sunday School teachers.  She was barely a teen when we met her.  She positively sparkled and was full of goodness.  It still takes my breath away to consider that we knew her at mid-life. 

There was a dear friend who taught me more about living life to the fullest RIGHT NOW rather than waiting until things were easier, better, happier.  She was a little older than Sunshine when she died.  This year when we watched 'A Christmas Carol', I saw her in Tiny Tim's face.

Two great men who served as Bishops, leaders of our congregation when we were kids, passed away this year.  It hurts my heart to think about how much their families must miss them.  They spent their lives serving others.  One of them was the Guidance Counselor at our high school.  He was ALWAYS kind to everyone...especially to his family.  Our families were neighbors so we got to see, first hand, just how truly noble he was. 

Our Dugway High School Art teacher passed away a few months ago.  It still breaks my heart.  She created a refuge in her art room and offered it to us.  It was almost magical...like a protective bubble from the rest of the world.  Everything seemed quieter and safer there. I will never forget the smell of the tempera paint we used to make our banners for football games after school.  Today when I smell that kind of paint, I'm taken back to those happy afternoons.

The two that hit closest to home recently, are the passing of my Grandfather Paul and He-Man's Grandmother Lavona.

Tonight, I came upon grandpa's obituary.  It brought a fresh wave of emotion.  He really was surrounded by his family when he passed, just like it said.  The feelings, impressions while sitting with his children, my aunts and uncles, and watching them carry him out together will be a sacred memory I treasure forever. 

I miss knowing he's there in that blessed little house I've loved so much.  It makes my heart ache thinking about the people who miss him the most.

When we went to Weisbaden, Germany in October, I took a picture of the bassoon factory where he actually purchased the bassoon my brother would eventually play professionally.  It moved me to know that he walked the very steps I trod decades before.  My sweet Daddy came with me.

Then there's Grandma LaVona.  She was always happy to see us.  I hope I never forget the way her voice sounded whenever she would say 'Well Hello!'  She was always smiling in the pictures taken of her...except for the last one.  She looked so frail and so scared.  It haunted me.  I'm grateful she's at peace now.  We just will miss her.

I've tried, several times, to write this post.  Every time it seemed so not enough.  2011 drifted away before I could finally find my words.  Yet they will never do these amazing people justice.  Then again, I can't seem to write anything else until I contribute my measly part to write, on proverbial stone, about just how much better this world is because they were in it.  And there are literally thousands of people who feel the same way about each one of them.

I guess the trick is to remember what each person taught us; to allow their legacy to live on by our actions to others.  This makes me want to shout from the rooftops that I will never forget what they taught me, no matter how much time passes by.

I will always remember.