Remember the Titans

Anonymous

This movie has always been one of my favorites.  It holds great memories of encouragement and great moments of sadness as well.  Not just within its plot, but also within my life.  Today we walked through one of the cemeteries in Athens.  It's amazing how much a place like that can make you think.  Take a look at this view for just a moment:

Scroll back up and look again.  I really want you to look at it.  This is a row lined with tombstones.  It's beautiful and peaceful and heartbreaking all at the same time.  So scroll back up and look once more.

Today we were privy to the lives and history of all these people.  As I looked upon their graves, I thought to myself, "Somewhere, someone is weeping for this person.  Someone notices their absence."  I thought about the idea of mortality, something I am all too familiar with, and something I often  wish I knew nothing about.  What we often forget is that wisdom comes at a price.  While it is nice to have that wisdom, it can be a very hefty price.  As I reflected upon my thoughts, I remembered that I am the person weeping.  I am the person noticing the absence of a loved one, of several loved ones.  Though my life does not reflect either directly.  I do not weep with tears or sorrow, anymore, I weep with my life.  I do many things in remembrance, or honor, of those I've lost.  And I do not show that I notice their absence.  I fill my time with wondrous and joyful things to make it as though they were still here, but simply far away; like another country perhaps.

Life is an apparent cycle.  I, too, shall leave this world and be taken to a much better place.  And I would hope that I could leave a legacy like the one that has been left for me.  I was taught marvelous lessons that I apply today.  I was told elaborate stories that I often think about in relation to the way my life is carried out.  I was encouraged to live large and to enjoy every moment.  All of these things I carry with me today.  Shouldn't we all be so lucky as to encourage a loved one to continue living a full life after we are gone?  Shouldn't we all be so lucky as to find ourselves missed because we made a difference?  

The beauty in this cemetery and in the idea of mortality is that our life does not end with us.  It is a continuation in the lives of the people who have known us and who come after us.  We are all united by what we've shared and learned from one another.  This cemetery did not bring sadness, it brought reflection.  Mortality can be a scary concept, but if you look at that picture one more time, you might see that it really isn't scary at all.  It's actually, quite peaceful.

And I know that only time will tell me how
We'll carry on without each other...

We can't stay like this forever
But I have you here today
And I will remember
Oh I will remember
Remember all the love we shared today

-Awake by Josh Groban