Seven years ago I lost my best friend to cancer. As I visited with her in hospice care she shared with me all of her final wishes and desires. One of them was to create a huge celebration of life service hosted by myself and her two sons. She expressed how she did not want everyone crying and sad..but instead wanted the event to be funny and full of all the fun memories of her life. I agreed having no idea how I was going to do it. Needless to say her two sons and I did it and it was fabulous. We staged the event at a hotel ballroom filled with photo images of her active life. Created a DVD set to music of her travels and her closest family and friends. We invited 5 friends to speak on their interactions with her along with their funniest memory. We even had her spanish class from college come read a poem in Spanish. A wonderful little band played some of her favorite tunes and we ended the evening with a shot of Baileys for everyone. (her favorite drink)On the Memorial program I put her famous carrot cake reciepe so everyone had something of her’s to take home.
The joy this event brought to everyone and to myself was unbelievable. I now have my own business Loving Touches Memorial Services in her honor,where I can do similar things for families during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Sharing the joy of the time spent with someone is helpful in the healing process. Make sure you focus on the celebration of having them in your life...it will allow the loss to be more manageable.
Every day, I end my day knowing how I have helped families bring back the wonderful memories of a loved one...so they can hang on to that...and release the sadness...