I recently experienced a big ripple in my life. On May 9th, my mother-in-law passed away at the age of 60. It was a very bittersweet moment. There is that sadness that has enveloped our house because we will miss Lesley. Yet there is joy in the fact that we know she is with her Lord and would not return to us even if she could.

During the last six weeks of her life, Lesley exhibited a kind of strength, dignity, and faith that I rarely see in people. I pray that when my time comes that I can let go as gracefully and with as much faith as Lesley did.

As much as Lesley herself impressed me, I was equally impressed with the outpouring of compassion and support from the southern community where she lived. I have gotten used to the way we do funerals here in Indianapolis, and just assumed it was pretty much the same everywhere. However, as we proceeded to the cemetery from the church, every car in all four lanes of traffic came to a complete stop until the entire funeral procession had passed. At the cemetery, the police stopped traffic so we could enter and then got out of their cars and stood at attention with their hands over their hearts until everyone was inside the cemetery gates. It was a respectful and moving gesture that I will never forget.

My thoughts about the importance of relationships, even brief encounters, was greatly enhanced by this experience. Many people who did not know our family showed such respect and compassion at what we were experiencing. What more could we be doing to show the same to those who are close to us? All the more, I believe we must show and tell those we love how much they mean to us, and how glad we are that God has blessed us with the experience of knowing each other.