A True Celebration

On May 16, 2009, my great aunt, Lydia Stobbe ended her battle with cancer. Unfortunately she did not win that battle, but sure put up a strong fight for many years. Being at the funeral, just this friday, it really got me thinking as I was standing at the burial. I was crying and everytime I stopped, her voice came into my head and it all started again. The pastor began to speak and what he said really helped me get through the funeral without being completely depressed through the entire day.
He said how it says in the Bible not to shed tears for those who have passed on from their life here on earth. Not saying that we shouldnt cry, but that those tears should be that of celebration! I didnt understand, because I felt guilty being happy and celebrating when she had just passed away. But it was quickly explained to me, how this day was to celebrate the life that she lived, and especially now, that she is in a better place. Her family spoke on all those happy times, and even though I wasnt there for them, I was able to share their joy. We knew that the painful chains of sorrow which kept Aunty Lydia down for so long, are now broken and will never have control of her again.
Her husband Johnny has been the most loyal and loving husband to her. With all the medication she was on, her moods and even sanity started to go, but he stayed. Getting no sleep because he needed to watch her, or drive her to the hospital; or being yelled at by her for who knows what. The night after she passed away, going home for him was very difficult. But he said it was the best sleep he had gotten in several years. Not in the sense that he's happy she is gone, but he his heart is at peace. He knows she is no longer in constant pain, and he knows that he did everything he could to love and care for the wife God blessed him with.
Overall... that day was sad, but it taught me to seriously cherish the life I am living right now and the people who love me. Especially my amazing boyfriend Alex, who was there to hold me through the many shed tears on friday.
Life is beautiful, and on friday, over 200 people gathered to celebrate that of Lydia Stobbe. You will be missed.
Rest in Peace,
xoxo