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Talk like today is your last day

This morning I got the call that every pastor dreads… “She’s gone.” Only this time it wasn’t someone I was expecting. It was Mary. Young Mary. Full of life. Great mom. Exceptional wife. Much-loved teacher. True-blue friend. Exciting, funny, caring, helpful… that Mary. I can’t believe it. No one can. 4 1/2 months ago I was…

This morning I got the call that every pastor dreads… “She’s gone.”

Only this time it wasn’t someone I was expecting.

It was Mary. Young Mary. Full of life. Great mom. Exceptional wife. Much-loved teacher. True-blue friend. Exciting, funny, caring, helpful… that Mary.

I can’t believe it.

No one can.

4 1/2 months ago I was pastor at Mary’s wedding.

This week I will be pastor at Mary’s funeral.

Today I sat with her family and listened as people recounted their last conversations with her.

Mary did well. As were most of her words, her last words were loving, fun, and helpful.

I often find that in these moments it is helpful to be reflective. Today I will think on this, “What if these words were my last words?”

mary

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Responses to “Talk like today is your last day”

  1. Dawn Resha Edwards

    Such a beautiful woman both inside and out. I will miss her laughter the most. Our work family will not be the same without her. I’m so very blessed to have been able to tell her yesterday how she always made my day brighter. I will miss her tossing those “last car” signs at me every afternoon and saying “Here ya go sunshine!” and laughing that wonderful laugh of hers. Mary was a joy to work with, a graeat mom and so happy in love. Until we meet again….just keep swimming!

    Reply
    1. paulpeterson

      Dawn!

      Thank you for sharing your memories here.

      Reply
  2. Gwen Sims

    What a much-needed reminder, Pastor Peterson; “What if these words were my last words?” It sounds like Mary had no regrets since she apparently lived each day with love and compassion for others in her heart. Mary’s mother, Kimberly, is my first cousin. Our mothers, Shirley (Kim’s mother) and Faye (my mother), were sisters. I won’t be able to attend Mary’s funeral service, but I pray that God will be with you and give you the words to comfort Mary’s devastated family. Everyone tells me she has never been happier since she met and married Kelvin, and she adored his children as she did her own. They are all in my prayers.

    Reply
    1. paulpeterson

      Gwen! The family sure appreciates your prayers and these kind words.

      Reply
  3. Colleen

    Incredibly sad…heartbreaking. Such a wonderful young woman, amazing mom, sister and daughter. I will miss her laugh, her smile, even her days of frustration – I will always treasure our chats, joking, sharing stories and most especially the joy in Mary’s voice and light in her eyes when she talked about when she and Kelvin first met and how thankful she was that God brought them together. Love you, kiddo! We will all be together again in heaven.

    Reply
    1. paulpeterson

      Colleen, thank you for sharing your memories of Mary here. We all look forward to seeing her again.

      Reply

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