My Favorite Part Of Funerals

The best part of the funeral is what happens the days before, and right after the funeral itself.

It's the laughter. The sharing of memories. The being together with families.

I've been with so many families that cried and mourned so deeply and painfully, and I know there are times when deaths are like that. My oldest sister died during surgery. We didn't have a clue that might happen. My older sister died at the age of 7.

Not much laughter there -- not until long after the burial.

But for Dad, as it was for my mother a few years ago, death came slowly and quietly -- and probably at a good time. The wait was not so long that the body was in such pain, or the mind was so dimmed.

I've been at home today -- Dad's home. People have come and gone all day. They've brought food, flowers, and sometimes a few stories to tell about Dad.

I've heard the stories before, but I enjoy hearing them again and again -- and especially now.

I think there is something healing about the telling of stories.