Life...

I woke up this morning to a phone call to let me know that one of my aunts had passed away last night. She was in her early 60's and died of a heart attack at home last night. My uncle went to watch one of their grandsons play ball and found her when he got home.

My heart aches for my family. I haven't cried much. I think I'm still trying to process the whole thing. I do think of and hurt for my uncle. Forty-something years of marriage. And my cousins who have now lost their mother. One of which is expecting her first child in a few weeks. My heart aches for them.

This Friday I get the opportunity to "do" my first funeral. Back in May I said just a few words at a funeral for my cousin. This one however is completely up to me. Start to finish, graveside and all. Public speaking doesn't bother me, but this isn't just public speaking. I want to pay tribute to my aunt. I want my family to celebrate her life at the service. And I want to share God's Words of peace, strength, and most of all hope.

This is a privilege I don't take lightly. But honestly it is one I did not anticipate to be given any time soon.

Until then......