My brother, Dave, passed over in 2012.  His funeral was, as was his life, nontraditional.  Family members spoke without much time to prepare.  My husband, Jim gave one of the most moving, timeless, uplifting funeral eulogies I’ve ever heard.  Let me share with you and think of someone you love that has made the transition as you read this.

I invite you all to bring into your mind right now, your happiest memory of David. Just close your eyes for a moment….chuckling out loud is OK.

You will certainly have noticed that, when you are sad or discouraged, thinking about someone you love or admire is comforting. Why is that? Because the images we hold in our mind or heart do not remain inactive.

They have their own life, they have powers; they are like transformers, sources of energy. You can become lost because of an image and be saved by an image. You can be poisoned by an image, or it can act as an antidote. Every image is connected to an idea, and when you concentrate on an image it has an effect on you; it stamps its mark on you. Never neglect the inner work you can do with images.

It’s so much more loving to hang onto those good thoughts. As humans, we are an interesting mix. We’re all capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. There are those times when we all feel so lost, so cut off, so alone – only we’re not. One of the greatest gifts we have that makes it all bearable is each other. One of the greatest gifts David has left us is this subtle reminder.

When we look up in the night sky, perhaps they are not Stars, but rather the openings in Heaven, where the love of our Lost Ones pours through, and shines down upon us, to let us know they are happy and safe. Tonight, there is a new star.

Semper Fi David!