In the past two weeks, I have attended the funerals of two women. One was 92 when she passed, the other 94. In both cases family members said, “She was ready.” Both women had full lives from the stories that were shared. But the common thread in these funerals was that these women loved people. They valued friendship. They helped people stay in touch with one another. Your age didn’t matter. They showed interest in the lives of others and cared for others. As I reflected, I wonder how I might show others that same kind of friendship.
Roberta made friends wherever she went. I remember she always greeted me as if I were just the person she wanted to see. I always felt good, even lifted up, after interactions with Roberta. She loved to eat at Chick-fil-A and went there most Thursdays with her daughters or friends. The Thursday after her death our local Chick-fil-A baked 92 chocolate chip cookies and gave them out for free to honor Roberta. Her cheerful kindness had an impact wherever she was.
Sometimes, I wonder if we are losing the value of friendship. Are we lulled into using technology to give us the illusion of connection? We have become a very self-centered society, but today, I’m reminded that there are people, like Roberta, who carry on with living in friendly ways that bless others. In the ordinary daily-ness of their lives, they stop to greet you, look you in the eye with love, and ask, “How are you, dear?”
“There are three things that grow more precious with age; old wood to burn, old books to read, and old friends to enjoy.” — Henry Ford
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“The Thursday after her death our local Chick-fil-A baked 92 chocolate chip cookies and gave them out for free to honor Roberta. Her cheerful kindness had an impact wherever she was.”
Amazing. What a great story. I am touched that these two women had long full lives and will be remembered for loving lots of people. 92 and 94 and “ready.” Just amazing. Thank you for this slice. It gives me an incredible boost first thing in the morning, which is not what I was expecting when I read the title.
Thank you for reading. I’m glad you got a boost, something we all need!
This is a lovely tribute to these ladies and the way life ought to be lived. We should all follow Roberta’ example: “Carry on with living in friendly ways that bless others. In the ordinary daily-ness of their lives, they stop to greet you, look you in the eye with love, and ask, ‘How are you, dear?'” The key being seeing with love. The local Chick-Fil-A giving out 92 cookies in her honor – such a moving gesture that speaks to the power of true community, which is, in the end, really about supporting and caring for each other. Beautiful post. On a side note: my youngest son is in the funeral business and believes it is a ministry he’s been given, to comfort and care for people when they need it most.
Bless your son. Yes, it is a ministry of love.
This post speaks to me as my father (now 98 years old) who has lived with me and my family (husband and 3 children) for 30 years. He loved us quietly without words as he made dinners while my husband and I worked full time. He loved us when he built the wheelchair ramp for my daughter, and this legacy of love lives in my children.
And I agree with your conclusions about friendship and the deterioration of in person relations for the online type. I’ve seen it in the classroom and I’ve seen it with younger colleagues in teaching. I love your last line, the Henry Ford quotation, which encourages us to value age instead of denigrating it. Thank you for sharing this lovely story and perspective.
What a blessing for you and your children to have your dad with you for so many years. I’m sure there have been both wonderful and difficult times. Bless you in the coming years as you face loss – I hope there will be many friends to celebrate his life with you.
I truly believe that this kind of tribute keeps a part of our departed in the world and even enriches those who did not know them. You have accomplished this with sincerity and love.
How beautiful that these two kind and friendly ladies left such an imprint in your life. What a wonderful legacy to leave. You’ve got me thinking about the special people in my life and the imprint they’ve made in my life.
I love this description of Roberta: “she always greeted me as if I were just the person she wanted to see.” It sounds like you have had really special women in your life. How lucky that they get you to carry on their legacy!
one fun fact about me is that I like to go to funerals. Because of what you tell us here- they celebrate life and they remind us of how we might aspire to be. (Well, we hope they will do these two things.) I also love the Chick Fil A story but even more the regular lunches with good friends and family. I love your description of someone who really looks at you and makes you feel as if you are just the person they want to see, and listen deeply to. Thank you for a lovely sharing.
What a wonderful story. Your comment about technology giving us the illusion of friendship has me thinking. I believe that is true when it comes to friends who live nearby, much like my students and their friends. But then I think about Teach Write and how technology has developed those friendships and connections. You always lift me up with your smile and kind words–always such the positive person on the screen. I do value your friendship from acorss the miles and hope that one day I can look you in the eye and ask, “How are you dear friend?”
Yes, you are absolutely right that technology has blessed us. I love my Teach Write friends and I DO count you as a dear friend. I got tears reading your words. Hugs and hopes for a future meeting face-to-face, Leigh Anne!