It’s been two years since my brother, Brent, went home to be with Jesus. I’ve gone to several funerals in the past couple of months and I confess that each time I got ready to go I was reminded of the day of my brother’s celebration of life. I remember the surreal feelings of walking through the days and weeks after and wondering if the numb parts of my heart would ever heal. It’s made me feel deeper for friends who are walking through all those same hard places and wishing I could help carry some of that burden. It’s changed my prayers for them. It’s reminded me of Jesus’ tears when He heard the news that His friend, Lazarus, had died. (John 11) I believe those tears were more for the deep love and compassion he felt for Mary & Martha’s grieving hearts. After all, Jesus was about to bring Lazarus back to life!

Today I came across something I wrote a few weeks after I said ‘goodbye for now’ to my brother. And since several dear friends have had to do the same recently I thought I’d share part of it in this space. At my brother’s service I was struck by how many people from so many varied backgrounds, beliefs, professions and ages showed up and shared with us something we all had in common. We loved Brent. He made us laugh. He made us think. It didn’t matter who you were to him. If you would be his friend..he would be yours. I’ve cried often since that day just wishing that he could’ve heard all the amazing things so many shared with us about him that day – hoping that he knew just how much he was loved by so many.

Please don’t wait to tell someone that they add value to your life. If they bring you joy – tell them! If you love that they make you laugh – laugh with them and let them know it. Life is too short to withhold the gift of kind and thoughtful words spoken to someone while they can still breathe it in. Celebrate them…with them…while you can!