“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
- Martin Luther King Jr
Have you ever met the person who lives a long beautiful life and dies surrounded by their loved ones?
I think that is awesome.
In truth most of the people I know who died were younger.
My great aunt just celebrated her 101st birthday. She was the youngest of eight. They are all gone now except for her. They did everything together. They married, had kids, planned on living long lives. But then one day, one of the youngest died first. She had a blood clot and was gone. Why?
Why do young people perish? How do some of our parents who became more like children, die and leave us with such confusion?
I don’t like death. I don’t understand it. I don’t get to say goodbye. I can’t fix things I did wrong. And of course my dream would be that some of them would apologize. But that doesn’t happen either.
I seem to be able to cry if a celebrity who I never met passes but in my own family I find it hard to shed tears.
They say there are five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I waiver between denial and anger. And a whole lot of “if onlys.”
So many people I know are going through many different types and stages of grief. And while I love to offer wisdom, I have none.
Death is hard. It’s final. I can’t take it back. There are few things that comfort me during these times. One is a Pearl Jam song called Just Breathe. “Yes I understand that every life must end. Did I say that I need you?
Oh, did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn’t, I’m a fool you see…
Hold me ‘til I die, meet you on the other side.”
The other is a reminder that I have no idea what happens when we die. I believe we become whole, healed, filled with joy.
But I can’t touch that here. And so many things in this world make it scary to be a parent. Each time I let my daughter go a little, I don’t know what will happen. I pray, I hope, I worry.
If you are facing a death that was complicated, if there are no Hallmark cards that help you understand, maybe us sharing with each other is a way to lift each other up. Maybe we won’t feel so alone.
I have never been one to hide my emotions. But I think God used that for His good.
When I had a friend read my column she mentioned it was pretty dark for my usual content. But maybe life is really dark sometimes.
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
- Martin Luther King Jr
When I sit outside and watch the bright stars in a dark sky, I feel closer to God, more connected to the universe.
Maybe our loved ones are here with us in spirit? Whatever the answer it is a reminder that we don’t always get second chances in life.
Maybe it’s a reminder to gather together over a meal or to get together under the stars, laugh and share stories around a campfire.
When was the last time you hung out with some friends and just let loose? I will be honest, it’s been a long time for me.
Life is too short and too precious to just work all the time!
My daughter always asks when we are going to stop and have some fun. On all my lists of things to do, I think it’s time fun was added to the list.
How about you?
Ecclesiastes 3:4 NIV says - a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
It’s quiet in town. It’s as if the world left to go on vacation. I can hear birds chirping, a gentle rain shower, and peace is rushing through me. Last week my daughter had basketball camp and sheep shows. For the past couple months It was go, go, go, the paper... [More]
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This Hamilton County Memorial Day Tribute is brought to you by Scoular. Thank you to the brave and selfless men and women who have gone before us. Thank you for their service and sacrifice. ARTHUR AESCHLIMAN CECIL ADKISSON JIMMY AKERS JERRY ALEXANDER THOMAS AMERINE VERNON ANDERSON... [More]
The Valley State Bank in Syracuse is pleased to announce Casey Finlay has been hired as the new branch manager and loan officer. His primary duties will be managing employees in the Syracuse office but more importantly, helping customers with their financial needs. Finlay... [More]
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Best-selling Kansas author to speak in Coolidge May 13 Roxie Yonkey, former Syracuse Journal editor and best-selling author, will discuss her newest book Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, from 5 to 7 PM, Saturday, May 13, at the Coolidge City Hall,... [More]
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Mass of Christian Burial for Anthony Contreras will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Anthony John Contreras was born on November 26, 1976 in Lamar, Colorado to... [More]
Juliana Zwaantina Houtsma, age 31, passed away unexpectedly on May 22nd, 2023 at home in Syracuse, Kansas. The eldest daughter of Algene Jay Houtsma and Johnna Harvill, she was born on September 21st, 1991 in Redlands, California. Juliana spent her early years in Syracuse,... [More]
With the heaviest of hearts, we let our friends and family know that Shilo, my wife of almost 30 years and mother to our amazing daughters, passed away suddenly on the evening of Friday, May 12th, 2023, due to complications with a long-term medical condition. She passed on to... [More]
Eva Wauneta Holdren, 98, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Faulkton Senior Living. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023, at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Shawn Stoll presiding. Burial will follow in the Faulkton Cemetery.... [More]
A Memorial Service for Syracuse, Kansas resident, Joyce Horning will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at the Syracuse Wesleyan Church with Pastor Ray Frankofficiating. Inurnment will follow in the Kendall Cemetery in Kendall, Kansas. Joyce Ann (Reynolds)... [More]
A graveside memorial service for Winston Sears will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 22, 2023 at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Kurtis Klinghammer officiating. Military committal rites will be provided by V.F.W. Post #4281. Winston L. Sears was born... [More]
Marjorie L. Nairn, age 90 of Johnson, Kansas, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Stanton County Hospital, Johnson, Kansas. She was born August 10, 1932, in Dighton, Kansas, the daughter of Royce O. and Ida M. (Long) Wells. Marge grew up and graduated high school in Syracuse,... [More]
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