"You've got a friend"

"When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand  and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there"~ James Taylor, "You've Got a Friend"

In keeping with the "job" theme of this blog, I wanted to share a little something about a funeral I attended last Friday. I know the two may not seem to have a close connection, but for myself and about 50 of my co-workers, it unfortunately does. We had the honor, responsibility and chore of saying good-bye to a colleague and friend of the College for almost 25 years.

 I am a nice Jewish girl and most of my experience with funerals have been very somber. Family says a private good-bye to their loved one and then sits off to the side in a "family room" as others pay their respects to the deceased. You say a few prayers, a loved one may share a few words, but it is for the most part quite. All of the mourners get in the cars, drive with flashing lights a nearby cemetery, shovel some earth on the casket and head to a house for shiva ( a Jewish tradition of honoring the deceased at their or a loved ones home for 7 days following the funeral.)

Previous to Friday, I had only been to one other "Going Home" service. In the African American community, the emphasis is putting on celebrating the life of their loved one, rather than lamenting on their passing. This church knew how to do it right! Through our tears, there was laughter. The Reverends who spoke made us feel like we all made a difference in this lady's life, as much as she made a difference in ours. "We only have 200 programs, please just take 1 per family." They told us and the ran out quickly!

We spend so much time mourning a loss of a friend or family member and not enough time actually honoring them. This service reminded us that we were her true "friends", no matter what. A woman who persevered through 15 surgeries and 4 bouts of cancer, taught as much in her passing as she did while she was still on this earth.

• Be honest with your friends. If they are truly your friends, they will thank you for it! 
• Love everyone as if they were your kin.
• Give as much of your time (if not more) than you do of your money to help others.
• Never waste a chance to tell someone you love them!
• Do the things you want to do today, because there might not be a tomorrow.
•  LAUGH!! Sometimes you need to cry, but you need to laugh more than anything!

When you meet someone, at your job or somewhere else in your life, remember that they might be that gift you have been looking for.  Thank you B.E.A. for teaching us everything you know! Love you Boo!