Contrasts

Last Friday, Mark and I went to a funeral home to pay our respects to our friend and his wife. Our friend had lost his brother a few days before and we wanted to support him by being there for them. Later that evening we were invited to a surprise birthday party for another friend and we wanted to head to that party to share some time with him and help him celebrate. Both of these events were a sharp contrast of each other.

At the funeral home there was barely anyone there. The man that had passed had made some very bad life choices. He was alienated from his brother (our friend) and his brother's family. This man that passed was also alienated from his two adult children, his grandchildren and his ex-wife. He died alone. It was sad to see that so few people were there for him and his family. Any of us that came had come for a friend or family member. This man had left so many and lost so much.

In contrast at our friend's surprise birthday party there were many people. There was a band and some friends were dancing and enjoying the music, others were sitting around a bonfire and laughing and talking. There was also a large group hanging out in the kitchen eating and sharing stories. Everywhere you looked, you saw happiness. There was a friend around every corner. This man is truly happy, loved and cared about.

This contrast in life and the path we take was a real reminder to me to live every moment. Make amends with loved ones when you can, stay in touch with friends. Be the person you want someone else to be to you. The thing is that both of these men were 60 years old, one was celebrating his gift of life and the other had given up on his. He had checked out, choosing to be alone rather than work at being a brother, husband, dad and friend. Life is not easy; as a matter of fact nothing is easy. There is always some work to do and people to please.

The great thing is that moments like these help us see the difference we can make in our own and someone else's life. We can choose to be lonely or we can choose to touch lives and take part in each and every day in spite of the work and effort it requires. Two sharp contrasts and the choice seems so easy, yet some still end up alone and broken. How lucky we are to have these contrasts and the chance to choose. What choice will you make?