Character

Saw an amazing display of true character this weekend. When I was a kid, my family would go down to Edenton, NC where my Dad's relatives were. It was a whole 'nother world down there. People were out of their way generous and giving, wanting only to serve and make sure you had everything you needed and then some. True Southern hospitality. Their values were simple: honor, decency, warmth and the desire to comfort. They were who they were....and they made no apologies for it. True character in every sense of the word.

Went to a memorial where those values were amazingly abundant. It was so touching to see what a legacy can be left with just living your life in a good, decent way. I didn't know Julia very well, just her smile and the light in her eyes, a few conversations here and there, but I do know her legacies quite well. Every one of them.

The children are lively, talented, well behaved (I know their parents would give me a look on that, but I have spent many hours with many of them outside of their home, in pre school, in youth group, in rehearsals, in my kid's bedrooms, trust me, they are well behaved!) The adults are warm, fun, upstanding individuals, all of them looking out for one another in a quiet, non demonstrative way. Humble is a word that comes to mind.....not one that is used very often in our society, but definitely one that applies.

Sometimes when you know people very well, you lose track of how wonderful they are as you get bogged down in the day to day irks of the world. A memorial service, although very sad, is sort of a writing of a life, a way to step outside of the day to day and get a grand overview. For those who attend, it is a glimpse inside the workings of a family, all masks come down and you get to see who these people really are on their worst day.

Wow. All I can say is Wow. I feel blessed to be associated in any way with these beautiful people. And Julia.....what a legacy. Rest in Peace, for you can be proud of a life well spent, a job well done.

Namaste'