"What is the story you want to leave behind?"

***I started this piece a month ago...here it is now...

I was just reading a dear friend's blog and she had a list of questions she heard at a retreat.  This one popped out as we have spent the afternoon celebrating the life of our neighbor, George.

"What is the story you want to leave behind?"

In the time we have lived here, our little community has grown and changed as have we.  We have come to know more of our neighbors and made more friends.  From the beginning though, George and Ginny were always there. Always willing to help us out, or loan us a tool we might need for a project.  Always a friendly chat over the fence and wave.  They've helped us celebrate holidays and have always made time to chat with Mason and Ellie.  We love sharing garden goodies with them and hearing about their adventures. They have celebrated and supported the preschool our kids attended by joining us at the auction. They've loved our dog, Onyx and spoil him with dog treats and dog sit now and then so he has furry friends to run with along the fence.

A month ago when we learned George had died it was a bit of a shock.  These past 11 years he has been someone you always see and count on for a friendly greeting. Today we attended his celebration.  As we walked from the car I caught sight of his truck and I had to catch my breath. As we entered the hall photos, mementos, and that huge Jack in the Box costume reminded me of his sense of humor and adventure.  We joined our neighbors in watching his scuba diving videos and heard stories shared by family, friends, and colleagues. Mason and Ellie wrote notes to him with his RV Dr. George pens on his personalized papers.  They wrote at different times and both wrote the same message..."I love you." Mason said, "I didn't know what else to say, so I wrote it twice." Ellie gave hers a kiss and decorated hers with hearts. As she dropped in in the bowl she said she was going to say a prayer to him when she got home. Then she picked up the framed picture of him and gave a kiss.

We smiled and told stories of the time we opened our front door to find him wearing this!

As we listened to his stories we laughed, we cried, we hugged. We spent time with our neighbors and celebrated the way he would have wanted. As we hung around long enough to put chairs away, all the kids helped, too. It reminded me of our first house party when he drove over stacks of folding chairs and tables for us to use. Always thinking of others, willing to give. As we cleaned up, someone outside honked the horn of his truck.

That familiar sound that sometimes startled you when you were outside, you knew George was home. Tonight I am thinking of all those we have said goodbye to these past few years.  They are near and dear to us and although we couldn't be at their celebrations they are forever in our hearts.

We love you George!