Weddings and Funerals....

....are the two events that bring people together from near and far who may not have seen each other in ages.  And although one could argue that one is a happy occasion versus a not-so-happy occasion, I guess it's all in the way you look at it and to whose funeral you're going.  In a recent case of my own, my partner and I went to Oklahoma for a funeral/celebration of life.  The person who died was ready to go after being ill for years, so for her being able to make the choice of leaving this life, it was a blessing, and for everyone who knew her, even though she is missed, it's also such a blessing that she's not suffering anymore.  Honestly, it was a joyous occasion for me, hearing stories about this lovely woman and meeting my partner's family who he also hadn't seen in years.  Watching folks talk to each other, laugh and cry, seeing babies just starting this life and elderly folks on the precipice of starting whatever awaits after we're no longer on this earth was life-affirming and marvelous. My friends sent me their condolences, saying what a sad way it was to end/begin an old/new year.  The way I look at it is this:  for me and my partner, it was an adventure and an opportunity to see people we rarely see and to get quality time with lovely people who we might not see again on this earth, so all in all, a beautiful way to end/begin.

​We flew back to Chicago at night.  Glorious views of the city all lit up.  Here's a picture of us circling out over the lake for our final descent.

​I hope your day is full of happy.