Live Like Jay

"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.
Those moments when another human being was there,
in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly.
Reservedly. Mildly."

~ George Saunders
Quoted in Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown

Dear Ones,

This week, a personal tribute to Uncle Jay . . . who unexpectedly left us this week, far too soon.

Whenever I am plunged into grief, part of my healing process becomes stillness. I know I need to settle into stillness in order to hear.

What exactly am I listening for? I am listening for the wisdom from my heart. It's my heart that reveals to me the lessons I can learn from a life well-lived. And this is where the transformation, and the healing, begin taking place. 

While I still have much to process about Jay's death, I know there's so much we can all learn from the way he lived his life. Here's how I hope we can all be more like Jay. 

Live a big, brave, COURAGEOUS life:

• Find the courage to say "yes" to something new, even if it's something challenging!
• Have the courage to be kind, to all your fellow travelers. 
• Be courageous enough to continue opening your heart to love.
• Be courageous enough to know what you believe in and to admit when you are wrong. 

Live in SERVICE to others:

• In your work, in your deeds, in your words . . . be a source of strength and light to those around you. 
• Be generous with your time, your talents, and your treasure. When you show up for others, you may never fully know what a difference you made in someone else's life. Thank you, Jay. For all you did for us. 
• Let loose a few full belly laughs while you work. It makes everyone else feel lighter and better. Oh, and if things get tricky? You might want to know a good curse word or two as well. Those can also help release tension. 😉

Learn to make the foods you love (and delight in sharing with everyone around you!)

• Jay, I promise that every time I make pesto, I will do it the way you taught me. And, yes, I will make more than seems humanly reasonable, and I will happily share it with everyone at the table. 
• And, Jay, even though this one hurts a little . . . I won't keep the leftovers for myself. I'll send people home with giant canning jars of the green gold, and I won't grouse (too much!) if those jars never get returned. I'll just keep showing up with huge amounts of the most delicious pesto, time and time again, smiling and laughing all the while. 

​Thank you, Jay. For your courage. For your service. For the Italian meals that fed us so, so many times.

You will always be an inspiration, and you are forever loved.

m

P.S. I'd love to hear how you embody lessons from a life well-lived!
Drop me a line via email or text.