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200 words, caring, community, compassion, courage, Diana Schwenk, kindness, life
“Life is mostly froth and bubble. Two things stand like stone – Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.” ~ Adam L. Gordon
I have found this to be true.
Not that there aren’t incredible highs and devastating lows…
But in the grand scheme of things these moments slip into the ebb and flow of everyday life.
I remember a particular funeral of a friend who died at much too young an age.
His passing was sudden.
It felt like time was moving in slow-motion.
I didn’t hear a word the minister was saying. I wasn’t really aware of who was sitting around me.
Shock. Yes shock is the best word to describe how I felt.
Leaving the cemetery on that unusually warm spring day, I remember seeing birds and squirrels, families were laughing and playing, people hailing taxis and so on.
Didn’t they know what just happened? Didn’t the circumstances warrant a moment of silence?
No, everywhere life continued as if nothing or no one was lost.
We walk this earth through joys and sorrows digging deep for courage to carry our loads and reaching out with kindness to those carrying theirs.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
talktodiana 
I felt the same way at my grandmother’s funeral. Very beautiful post.
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thanks my dear. ❤
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No truer thoughts written. How can the world not at least hesitate for a moment at your loss. Yet it just continues to go round & round as if to remind us that our life goes on. ♥
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Doesn’t it? Makes me think of the whole ‘… to everything there is a season..” passage in Ecclesiastes.
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awww…..yes it does
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This post is deeply felt by many of us. A dear friend is on her way today to say goodbye to her mother who suffered a brain aneurysm, they are keeping her alive until everyone gets there. The day began as a beautiful sunny spring day, my first words this morning was to praise God for this glorious day, at the same time my friend was leaving to go to her mother about 4 hrs away. In a way your post brought comfort and a sense of peace that not only with my friend be watched over but so will her mom as she goes forward into the presence of Jesus.
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What an awesome way to think about it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend. Patty, thanks as always, for stopping by. ❤
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It is clear that you have described what many of us have felt at some time. I guess the kindness we show, leaves behind some comfort for those who will grieve for us. I like to think that it’s like an investment for those we leave behind or those who just pass through on the path we travel. Same I guess with courage in the face of life. Beautiful quote, thanks for sharing Diana. I’m pinning this post 🙂
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Yes a time to grieve and a time to comfort. Thank you for your generous comment and for pinning this post!
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This brought me back to the funeral of my cousin who died suddenly 38 years ago at aged 21. I can remember the exact feel of the temperature of the day and i can remember looking up at the clouds in the sky. All else was too immense and too painful to absorb at the time. You have described that feeling.
Thanks for including one of my favorite quotes and such a beautiful photo.
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You’re welcome and thanks for sharing your story Elizatbeth. ❤
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wow so true Diana…I remember a few days after my friend’s funeral last year watching people and just thinking how can she not be walking on this earth anymore and how can they keep doing mundane things…true the sentiment too, kindness and courage get us all through 🙂
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It is indeed weird for the ones who have lost someone. Sometimes we think we’re all alone in our grief or our struggles but it is not a unique experience is it? We all experience them alone, together…
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Yes – I understand this.
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I know you do Julie. Hugs.
xo
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Diana, I have felt those feelings too often. You expressed it very well. Another thoughtful post.
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Thank you Jennifer! ❤
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This post took me back to my Uncle John’s funeral……………..he died to soon in my opinion as he was my favourtie uncle…….
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It’s hard to lose the ones we love. I bet you carry within your makeup the best parts of Uncle John.
xo
Diana
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NIce piece – I have been there and marveled at how the world kept spinning.
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Thanks Lorri, it is most disconcerting when it happens, but also filled with hope and promise that life does indeed go on.
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Thank you for this reminder, Diana. I love the quote and plan to post it and of course list you as the source.
Russ
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Thanks Russ! I hope you had a great Easter!
xo
Diana
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I did enjoy this and felt a very close resemblance to feeling much the same after attending my Fathers Funeral..
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We (humanity) share so much in common and yet we see ourselves so differently from each other. I bet your dad was a wonderful man!
xo
Diana
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