sympathy cards

I think people should write at least one sympathy card a week. One of my dad's nearest and dearest friends passed away last weekend. He had suffered from altzheimer's for years, and his time just came. As much of a blessing as his departing was and not a surprise, it was still sudden.... I sat down and wrote out some thoughts from my childhood about Al in a sympathy card to his wife. I didn't know he meant much to me until I sat down and had to relay in writing, what someone's impact was on my life. He was one of the few people I saw my dad regularly hang out with, which taught me friendship. He was the first black man I had ever met AND he worked at Harvard, which taught me that color means absolutely NOTHING. He walked with my dad at the track behind the high school, was about a decade older than my dad and looked GREAT, which taught me that regular exercise will keep you young.

I made a reference to all of the chiming antique clocks in my parents' home that were refurbished by my dad with Al's encouragement. Every 30 minutes, my dad is reminded of his friend when the chimes go off and is further reminded that Al is no longer here. Sad but sweet.

We should sit down with a sympathy card every week at least. It forces you to reflect upon something that isn't around anymore. Write sympathy cards to yourself - about someone you only know remotely and figure out what we would say to their wife/husband/mom/dad/child about your perception of them. It's surprising how the littlest things have a big impact.