Went to a wake tonight

This evening I went to a wake/visitation. A friend of the family passed away recently of cancer. I guess when we go to these things we all get a little reflective about those that we've lost. This may sound mean, but I'm not sad about this person dying. The reason I'm not sad is because if you've ever seen someone die of cancer it's not a good thing to watch and at some point you almost wish that they would pass away; not because you want them to die, but because you know that the person lying there is not really living. I'm not a 'religous' person, but I believe that after we pass away we go onto something better. I also believe that we all have some 'purpose' in life and after we have accomplished that purpose, then it's time for us to go. I didn't always believe this.

With that being said, I certainly don't want to take away from the fact that those that are left behind feel pain. I know for myself that when my Mother passed away, that was/is the worst pain I have ever felt. It's been almost 2 years now and I still feel that pain. There's not a day that goes by that I don't wish that I could pick up the phone and tell her the latest gossip or tell her about something going on in my life, or just hear her laugh.

I don't want to end this blog page on such a 'down note', so I have to share this story. When my Mom was dying, we were going back and forth 3 times a week or so to chemo and radiation. On one of those trips, she and I were talking about the afterlife. She always knew that I had trouble with believing that there was soemthing after this. I knew that she had a very strong faith in God and Heaven. I asked her to send me a sign after she passed that would make me know without a shadow of a doubt that she made it to Heaven. We agreed that she would send me a butterfly. She and I agreed that I couldn't get the 'butterfly sign' in a way that I could explain with logic. She passed away on Jan 1. That summer I was driving, my husband was in the passenger seat and my son and my niece and nephew were in the back seat. The windows were rolled up and the a/c was on. All at once, my son said 'Mom, look at this'. Sure enough, there was a butterfly in the backseat of my car. It flew around all 3 kids and flew between the seat up to my husband an I. My son rolled down the window and the butterfly flew out. I knew then that she proved to me that she had indeed made it to Heaven. Another interesting note about the butterfly, it had shades of purple in it's wings. Purple was my Mom's favorite color.

I know some folks will read this and think it's crazy. Trust me, I am one of the most cynical people I know, so unless this had happened to me, I would have a hard time believing it. I will say this though, my Mom did make her point with me. I know that she made it to Heaven.

Have a great day!!!!!!!