Balance

Cynthia and I have a full week ahead of us, with weddings and memorials. It is an honor to work with couples who are starting a new life together. It is an equal honor to work with families who are mourning the end of the life of a loved one. 

It's this balance that helps us offer a unique perspective on the human condition. The yin and yang of life. Where there is light, there is shadow - and we need the contrast of each one to see the other. 

Funeral and memorial services are for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. They offer us a space to hold our grief and remind us that each of us leads a life of special interest and value, that each one of us is unique, with our own special gifts.

​The process of creating the memorial ceremony is often healing; sharing the ways your loved one touched your lives and others, recounting their unique personality and interests is very important.

Humanist memorial services are non-religious in content and form; they provide an opportunity for those of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to focus on the person commemorated in the ceremony, and to celebrate the special place they have in the hearts of those in attendance.

This week's memorials are especially hard for both of us because they are both for young men, in their 20's. As parents, our life's largest fear is the pain and loss of our children. As officiants, we are able to listen to their story and create a ceremony that offers a space to hold grief, to say good bye, and to begin the healing process. Sitting with these families and sharing in their sadness is heart wrenching and important. To celebrate the life of their beloved child is both an honor and a great responsibility. 

Peace be with you and hug your loved ones for us.