I put the FUN back in Funeral

I spent the morning at a memorial service for my neighbor/friend, Jim.

Jim was 47 years old, relatively healthy, very happy and a genuinely nice guy.

He dropped dead- literally- Sunday morning.

Jim left behind his equally nice wife, Stacy and twin 5 year old girls. One of the girls is in Lauren's class. I knew him from the neighborhood, and from our daily chats in the pick-up line in school. Would I say I knew his favorite flavor ice cream? No. But, I did know he just bought a new house, loved to play guitar and had a close relationship with his God.

Jim tried on many occasions to talk to me about God, and my beliefs. I usually laughed him off and reminded him that I was a JEW. We didn't necessarily believe in the SAME God. He didn't care. He liked me anyway.

The service was very tasteful, no "remains" were present ( for which I am grateful) and there were nice words said about the departed. Someone put together a very nice montage of music and pictures or Jim's life. It was set to Eric Clapton's 'Tears In Heaven.' I couldn't contain my tears when I saw a five year old girl crying her beautiful brown eyes out over the loss of her father.

I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like if it was LAUREN crying over the loss of Joey. I can't imagine what Stacy feels and how she will go on.

All I do know is that now is the time to treasure those I love. I am going to try and spend each day getting to know something about someone.

Jim once told me he never asked closed-ended questions- they allowed for conversations to end too quickly. He would never say " How are you?" He would say "What did you do today?"

So, my favorite flavor of ice cream is Banana- what about you?