| Elizabeth hung up and left the receiver off the | | | | to play with the kids at the community center |
| hook. She was alone and wanted, needed, to | | | | where he volunteered one day a week. He loved |
| keep the quiet around her if only for a few hours. | | | | gourmet cheese and fine wine. Almost all his shirts |
| As she began her ascent to the bedroom they'd | | | | were red because he thought that was the best |
| shared for seven years, the tears began to fall. | | | | looking color on his skin. There were so many |
| She knew decisions had to be made, but where | | | | things about him that needed celebrating, Liz |
| to start? How do you tell someone's story after | | | | couldn't think of anything but creating a meaningful |
| they're gone? | | | | service by reviving his loves just one more time. |
| As she filled the tub she thought about her | | | | This has been or could be you. Death comes |
| experiences. She'd been to funerals, but only as a | | | | suddenly. We are never truly prepared for its |
| well wisher. She'd never been involved with | | | | arrival or the emotions that accompany it. |
| planning. Many times she thought how unfitting the | | | | Because of that, many people pass away without |
| service had been. They never seemed to match | | | | giving a second thought to what their funeral |
| the deceased. She turned toward the bedroom | | | | service or memorial celebration will entail, leaving |
| and began to undress, this time, it was her turn. | | | | family and friends to decide. Here are some things |
| She could see how easy it would be to go with | | | | to consider when creating a memorable and |
| the norm and move on. Would he have wanted | | | | meaningful service for a loved one: |
| that? They'd spoken about it, but for some | | | | 1) What hobby did they love? |
| reason, nothing came to her as she undressed. | | | | 2) What flowers did they love? Maybe they didn't |
| She slipped into the tub and closed her eyes. The | | | | have a favorite flower, but a particular flower |
| faucet to her tears seemed to have a mind of its | | | | always brought back a happy memory. |
| own. The thoughts meandered through as the | | | | 3) Had they traveled? What place did they travel |
| tears flowed. He's gone. He's not coming home? | | | | to the most, or couldn't stop talking about when |
| He's left you. Who cares about the service? They | | | | they returned? |
| didn't love him; they just want to see how I'm | | | | 4) Did they love their work? |
| doing so they can feel sorry for me. I'm not | | | | 5) Did they have a special place to think? |
| having a service for that. | | | | 6) Did they have a great sense of humor? |
| As she got out of the tub and moved toward the | | | | 7) What was their favorite movie? |
| bed, she noticed a pair of his running shorts on | | | | 8) What food did they love? |
| the floor. Did he leave them there this morning? | | | | 9) What sport did they love? |
| Had he gone running? No, because she found him | | | | 10) Where did their passions lie? |
| in the basement in his pajamas. Before more | | | | All these questions and more can get you started |
| thoughts could take hold she quickly threw the | | | | on creating an unforgettable service for a loved |
| shorts into the hamper. It was all the running that | | | | one. As time passes the service will be |
| killed him. | | | | remembered as a good time hosted by the loved |
| The banging on the door woke her from sleep | | | | one in honor of their guests. |
| she thought would never come the night before. | | | | Gone are the days when everyone is eulogized |
| As she opened the door arms surrounded her | | | | the same way. Everyone has a story to tell and |
| and wetness fell on her shoulder. It was her | | | | be told. If it is your task to tell that story without |
| sister-in-law. They went inside. | | | | the starring member, remember, you have all the |
| The coffee lacked taste and the pie was bland. | | | | information you need in your memory banks. Tap |
| Nothing seemed right. As they talked, Liz began | | | | them and create. |
| to visualize what she couldn't see the night before. | | | | Elizabeth's story will continue in part II. We'll see |
| He loved hiking the mountain behind their home, it | | | | how she decides to memorialize her husband and |
| was the reason they bought this house. He loved | | | | get tips of our own from her actions. |