Sunday night Sherri and I sat with a couple and planned out their wedding. They were excited… and a little nervous. There was laughter and hope as we discussed the beginning of “happily ever after.”

Monday morning Sherri and I sat with a mom and her daughter and planned out the mom’s funeral. There were some tears; very little excitement; very little nervousness… just a hopeless acceptance of the inevitable.

The range of emotions within this 24 hour period was extreme. We love the couple who is getting married. We love the lady who will die soon. We celebrated and we grieved with those who were doing likewise. It reminded me of St. Paul’s instruction to us: “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

Celebration… grief…

It is inevitable that in life you will do both.

I hope you celebrate with passion and loud laughter. Do it as often and as long as you can. That’s what the soon-to-be-married couple is doing. That’s what we did with them.

And when you must… I hope you grieve. Grieve thoroughly. Grieve completely. That’s what the soon-to-die lady and her children are doing. That’s what we did with them.

And while you are laughing and grieving with others, take a minute to contemplate this advice…

#livethelifeyouhave