I went to a memorial service several days ago. I went because my dear friends sister passed away. It was not sudden, the family was as prepared for it as they could have been. That doesn't make it any easier, but at least they knew to expect it.

The parking lot of the funeral home was full, front and back. I parked next door at a flower shop and walked over. There was a line out the door of the funeral home when I arrived. After making my way down the hall through the line, I arrived in the room of the memorial. All the pews were full, standing room only.

There were pictures everywhere of her and her two beautiful daughters. There were pictures of her and her sister, her and her parents, her and her family. There was a flat screen high on the wall with more pictures flashing across the screen.

She was a beloved mother, daughter, grand-daughter, sister and friend to so many people.

She didn't want a regular funeral. She was cremated and wanted the memorial to be a celebration of her life. It was. There was no sad,
heartbreaking music playing. The music was upbeat, modern day
christian, played by her brother in law who is great on the guitar and
someone else from the church band singing.

Because she was a single mom on a budget she didn't want to spend money on herself for something her girls might need. She went five years without a pap smear and then went to the OBGYN because she started having problems. She had rather advanced cervical cancer.

This had been a six year battle for her. It started with cervical cancer and after radiation, chemo and it spreading to other parts of her body, she had a radical, rare surgery. She had a translumbar amputation. She was amputated at the waist. She lived several months after this dangerous surgery, finally her body grew weary following surgeries, several infections and finally liver failure.

She fought a good fight. Her mind was still fighting, her heart was still fighting, but her body was tired. She was 36 years old. She left behind 2 daughters, age 14 and 16. From what I'm told, she led many people to Jesus, and set a good example for many others. She herself was upbeat, and thanked God for every day she did have. Spiritually, she was ready.

One of her biggest hopes was to promote awareness of cervical cancer. Her biggest frustration was that she ended up like this due to a lack of knowledge and that all of this was completely preventable. Ladies, please get you annual pap smears. Early detection is the key.

With all that being said, I left the funeral home with life and death on my mind. It seems she fulfilled a purpose in the short time she was here. I haven't figured out what my purpose is yet. I do believe we all have a purpose, that there is something that we fulfill.

When I leave this world, I would like to leave here knowing I've made a difference in the world, or a positive impact on someones life. Not just someone but many people. That I've taught them something, that I've been a good example, that because of something I did to help them or teach them, they are a better person for it. That they can go on to make a difference in the world from something I did.

What would you leave behind? If your not sure, what would you like to leave behind?