Friends, Bittersweet, 2 Beers

Per many requests here you are.

Dear Moriah,
For two and a half years, we’ve lived without you, and every day we realize more and more what we’ve lost. Although we are well aware that there is no way to sum up your life in a brief letter, there are some thoughts that we’d like to share about who you were and why we loved and admired you so much.

You had such a strong moral compass. You knew who you were at an early age, and people could accept it or not – you stayed true to yourself even when challenged. While it is no small feat to know who you are and follow your beliefs as an adult, doing so as a teenager is a much greater achievement. This strength of character is a testament to how well your parents raised you.
You valued honesty above all else – you felt that people always deserved the truth. Though it was sometimes difficult for us hear, you always had the courage to tell us what we needed to hear, and you were a better friend for it.

You were so dedicated to your friends. You were wholeheartedly loyal. As a teenager, it can often be easier to say nothing than to actively stand up for someone else, but Katherine remembers you as the only person who would ever stand up in a crowd of "popular" kids to say "Stop making fun of her, she’s my friend."
You felt it was your responsibility as a friend to give 100%: you always gave total trust, kindness and support, and expected the same in return. JJ can remember you telling her that "I’m not afraid of dying young, I’m afraid of those close to me dying." These words show how much you cherished your friends and loved ones, and we all learned how to be a better friend from you.
You saw worth in everyone. You told JJ once that "Everyone is beautiful in their own way", and we know from your honest nature that you truly believed it. You had an eye for beauty and style, but you also saw room for improvement: none of us will ever forget the day you strapped Amber down and forcibly tried to pluck her eyebrows … or the day that you dyed Maureen’s hair, only to find out that the funky red color was permanent. The fact that you saw everyone’s beauty, inside and out, is a reflection of your own inner beauty.

But most of all, you lived your life with conviction. You never did anything halfway – your honesty, loyalty and humor were infectious, and you could make even the most mundane activities enjoyable. Your zest for life has inspired many people here today to live the same way: to live in the moment, and to cherish our friends and family as deeply as you did.
If we could turn back the clock, we would’ve told you these things every day. But the lessons that you’ve taught us about friendship, honesty, and the value of finding humor and beauty in every moment will continue to inspire us, and we can think of no greater legacy than that.

Thank you for all you’ve given us. Our love always- Maureen, Katherine, JJ, and Amber

Moriah's friends read this at her visitation. Man what a testament. It's about as proud as I could feel. Lots of tears still reading this one.

Here's the story(joke) I told at the visitation

Full

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling space between the sand. The students laughed.

Now, said the professor as the laughter subisided. I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your faith, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. the sand is everything else--the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children and grandchildren. spend time with your parents. visit your grandparents. Take the time to get medical checkups(profound). Take your spouse or friend to dinner.

Play another 18

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand!

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, I'm glad you asked.

The Beer shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with your friends!

Many thanks to all of you for all of your kind thoughts, words, cards, and donations during this difficult time. I hope to have the charities funded here in the next few weeks. God Bless all of you. I spent the week after the funeral down at the lake which was great. I looked at the street sign to the old lake house that Mary and I had purchased quite some time ago, it reads "Bittersweet" Can't believe I never realized that before.

I went back to work which I guess was ok. I'm going to try to get healthier(which Doc says will be a challenge) and pursue some other interests in the future. I guess we never know what the Lord has planned for us. I wish he would clue me in!! I'm headed to Austin Tx next week for the ACL festival with Bro Ryan, 300 bands, 12 stages should keep us busy and
Zigenbach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Down the Road
I'd love to hear from all of you
God Bless
Dale