Memorial Service
noun
a ceremony of religious worship to commemorate the life of a person, typically someone who has recently died.

The thing is, when someone leaves this world, we tend to remember all the good stuff about them. It’s like we want to keep their memory alive and cherish the times we had together. I was watching this rom-com on Netflix called “Love at First Sight” the other day, and there’s this scene where the main character’s mother, who’s not well, decides to attend her own memorial before she passes away. She wanted to experience it herself and cherish all the good things that people had to say about her.

But here’s the thing: why can’t we make every day a living memorial? Why do we have to think twice before saying thank you or sorry? Or giving someone a word of appreciation or encouragement? It shouldn’t be like that.

I’ve been in the hospital many times, either as a caregiver or with someone who needed care. But this time, it was different. It was my turn to be the patient. I walked into the hospital with my partner by my side, holding me tight. There was no one else waiting outside or in the waiting area, just him. I knew he was anxious too, and he needed someone to assure him that everything would be alright.

The time came for me to be wheeled into the room, a room I had never been in before. I was feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. It was like a new phase of life that was about to start. And then, thanks to the anaesthesia, I fell asleep within minutes. I don’t remember anything after that, except for the smiling face that greeted me when I woke up. Two things crossed my mind: I hoped he was okay, and I hoped the surgery went well without any surprises that would make me a burden to anyone.

I’ll never know what happened during that one hour when I was out. But if something had gone wrong that day?

Life’s so unpredictable, you know? The things and people we care about can just disappear in the blink of an eye. Those moments in the hospital made me realise how fragile life is and how important it is to show love and appreciation while we still can.

As I was recovering from surgery, I couldn’t help but think about how amazing my partner was. His constant support and comforting words really got me through those tough times. It made me appreciate the importance of having someone who truly cares by your side.

In today’s crazy world, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget to express gratitude or apologise when we need to. But who says we need a special reason to show our feelings? Every single day should be an opportunity to spread love and appreciation to those around us.

Just imagine if we all made an effort to honour our loved ones and ourselves while we’re still here. A kind word, a sincere thank you, or a simple act of kindness can seriously brighten someone’s day. And you know what? It can spread all that positivity and love even further than we think.

And hey, love and appreciation don’t have to be grand gestures. It’s the little acts of kindness that really make a difference. Offering a helping hand, lending an ear, or just giving a genuine smile can make someone’s day and bring us all closer together.

So, let’s choose to live every day like it’s a celebration of life. Let’s be more understanding, compassionate, and grateful for the people around us. We shouldn’t take them for granted.

Oh, and you know what? That one hour I had during my surgery? I’m just grateful that everything turned out okay. It’s a reminder that life can change in an instant. We need to treasure every moment, embrace the love and support around us, and never underestimate the power of connection and caring.

In the end, we can give and receive love that really shows who we are. Let’s make every day a party where kindness and gratitude are the VIPs. Let’s make every day “The Living Memorial Service.“