The priest shared some memorable quotes and unforgettable stories. One quote that struck me was the following: "I wish I was the person my dog thinks I am". Let that marinate for a minute. How freakin' true is that?! How often do you wish you could always be this loving, caring, patient human being? I can so relate to that quote, especially as a mom. I spend days working with children in daycare. A child could be having a meltdown over the seating arrangement, and I'm offering comforting hugs. But if that was my child, oh boy, I'd have the look of death paired with flaring nostrils. Don't I wish I was the cool cucumber mom the daycare kids think I am!
After being touched by the priest's monologue, I wake up every day seeing how long I can last without snapping, gossiping, judging, or complaining. Every time I catch myself doing any of the above, I tell myself I can always start over. Most of us spend our entire lives trying to our best selves. We all want to be loved. We all want to succeed. We all want to be happy. But what if the best is yet to come?
When I heard this next story (still in church) I couldn't wait to share it! A woman who attended church regularly was terminally ill and given a 3 month death sentence. As she began making her funeral arrangements, she invited the priest over to her house to discuss the details. From the eulogy, to the music, to her wardrobe - she didn't miss a point. Just as the priest was leaving she stopped him and said, "Hold on, I forgot one thing. When I'm in my casket, I want to be holding a fork." Confused, the priest replied, "A fork?! Why do you want to have a fork in your casket?" She then said that food was such an important part of church events, which she always looked forward to. "My favorite part," she claimed, "was when they'd start picking up the plates and someone would say, "You can keep your fork". I knew that something better was coming. And I was never disappointed." I love the fantasy behind this story. She always believed something better was coming. Whether it was a pie or triple decker chocolate cake, it would be the best part of the whole meal. "So when my friends come to pay their final respects," she said, "I want them to look at the fork and ask you why I have a fork in my hand. That's when I want you to tell them, that something better is coming".
May be in our next life, we'll be a better, kinder, more compassionate version of our present self. Even more promising, is believing that when this life path comes to an end, the next one will be even better! May the church sermon bring you comfort in knowing that we're all perfectly imperfect, and to trust that there's something better coming.
