
"Now that I'm gone, remember me with a smile and laughter. And, if you need to cry, cry with our family and friends who walk in grief beside you.
And, when you need me, put your arms around anyone and give to them what you need to give to me.
I want to leave you something. Something much better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I've known and loved or helped out in some special way.
Let me live in your eyes as well as in your mind. You can love me the most by letting love live within the circle of your arms, embracing the frightened or lonely one.
Love does not die, people do. So, when all that's left of me is love, give me away as best as you can. I'll see you at HOME, where I'm waiting." - Unknown
Over the past 16 years, I have heard and read many people's thoughts about how they believe that their loved ones who are no longer living on this Earth are still here somehow, but this writing speaks the truest to me.
Our son, Kevin, was known for being a VERY loving person - one who everyone said was "the most loving and non-judgemental person they ever knew." His fiance' called him "Luvvy," and that was the perfect nickname for him.
And so, rather than me trying to imagine how Kevin might "come to me" or be " present to me" when I am missing and/or needing him (which I do not believe he is because I strongly believe he is now a "citizen of Heaven"), I imagine him in Heaven and consider how I might keep his legacy alive and well. And, so in his honor, I am intentional about giving something of "him away" by my loving actions, which I know in my mother's heart is what he would want me to do.
I will not waste my time or emotional energy on trying to keep Kevin connected to this Earth somehow, but I release him, letting him live on in his new home - Heaven! There are many times when I "need" my son, and in those times I put my "arms around someone and give to them" what I would so like to give to him.
Giving What I Can Give,
Angie "a mom like you"
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