As many of you know, my sister-in-law Cindy passed away three months ago on April 30th, 2018. It was not unexpected, but was nonetheless too soon. In February of this year she was diagnosed with cancer and given six to nine months to live. She passed away just over two months later in April.

I first met Cindy when she was thirteen, way back in the summer of ‘72. In all of the time that has passed since then, the one thing I’ve known consistently about Cindy is, as Cathy says, she has always marched to her own drum. She lived most of her life outside the box.

With my military and corporate background, I suppose I’ve lived much of my life inside the box. In spite of our different approaches to life, or maybe because of them, we loved each other in our own way, as you often do with members of your family, or extended family. I can’t say that I always liked what Cindy was doing at a particular time in her life, but I always loved her.

Her remembrance was held in Alabama on June 10th. We gathered together to celebrate her life. Friends and family were there, including cousins and three of Cindy’s four surviving uncles. Bonnie and Cathy both spoke eloquently about Cindy, her life, and their relationships with her. There was much story telling, some funny, some sad, and more than a few margaritas were drank that day in her honor. At Cindy’s request, Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” was played, allowing us to reminisce about our youth and leaving us with feelings of hope and redemption.

I think there is always an extra bit of sadness when someone dies young, as Cindy did. Having said that, at the remembrance enough time had passed since her death, and we were able to celebrate her life among us and our memories of her.

And now she has been gone for three months. For my part, I will remember the good times we did share over the years. And I will think of Ecclesiastes 5:18, both for Cindy, and for myself –

“Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work – whatever they do under the sun – for however long God lets them live.”

Peace be with you Cindy. Thanks for helping me remember to celebrate the good things in life.

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** This version of Ecclesiastes 5:18 came from the New Living Translation of the Bible.