The Love of Thousands

We begin life with an announcement, a joyful declaration that a new person is on his way. The occasion is marked with a baby shower and then baby and a bris or a baptism follows and a first birthday party and so begins a life full of celebrations along the way. Friends and family gather for graduations and weddings, they celebrate the life of that particular person and within each ceremony is a celebration of life itself, a recognition of the love and hard work that the parents put in to help their child reach a goal, the support of a partner, the remembrance of siblings, grandparents and aunts and uncles and a community that gathers and loves and shares in the trials and tribulations of a life connected to others. 

A funeral is a continuation of years of celebrations and as we commemorate your mother, brother or friend in words, music and food, we’re also invited to experience community in its truest sense. A group gathers in support of each other. We live and laugh and grieve together. Our main role on this earth is to love and to teach the same through our actions. If you are grieving, you aren’t alone. If you haven’t already, those who have experienced loss will show up and guide you through this journey. You’ll share in the joy of great stories and a life well lived and this celebration will feel so different and yet so similar to all those parties that came before. This is the celebration of one special life and all lives at the same time.

“Walking, I am listening. Suddenly all of my ancestors are behind me. Be still they say. You are the result of the love of thousands.” Linda Hogan’s words are a reminder that we are all a part of something bigger and the celebration continues.