Not enough time.

Spent some time in Harper, KS today.  This was one of those visits you don't always like to do.  Our extended family gathered to pay our last respects for my Uncle, Lindy Lechner.  LL, as he was affectionately called, was my Mom's brother in law.  I am sure he was much more than a brother in law, but that is what he was.  LL was ornery, funny, out spoken, supportive.  He was a story teller, a prankster.  And he was loved.  That was evident by the crowd in attendance.  All of the remaining Kahmeyer siblings were there.  Aunt Ruby, Uncle Dale, Aunt Eunice, Aunt Boots, Aunt Doris, Aunt Francis, and Aunt Sue.  Of course, Aunt Leona and her kids.  All of my siblings were there.  Every family of this large group was represented.  Of course, the Lechner side was also there.

Being around all of this family made me realize something.  Life isn't long enough.  There is not enough time to take care of all your responsibilities, be it work or your own family, and be able to take the time to visit with your relatives.  I mean, to really be able to sit down and talk to your Aunts and Uncles, your cousins, sometimes your own brothers or sisters.  Then you have a day like today.  I took time to speak to each of my Aunts and their husbands and my Uncle.  But it isn't enough.  Five or ten minutes is not enough time to convey how much these people mean to you.

When I was a kid, I thought 'these people aren't that old'.  Now I am 46, and these people are getting old.  We are all getting old.  It seems like some of these people you only see at funerals.  In fact, my cousin Tim commented, "It's pretty bad you have to go to a funeral to see each other."  That's so true.  And there will be more in  the future. 

At the dinner following the funeral somebody said that there was a party in Heaven.  See, my cousin Gary, Uncle Lindy's son, died in 1982. (I hope that was the right year).  Our Uncle Roland and Aunt Em died several years ago.  Uncle John a few years ago.  My Mom and Dad five years ago.  Uncle Dwayne, last year.  Other cousins also.  I bet it was a party.  The minister today used John 11:21-27 as his Gospel reading.  Verses 25 and 26 read, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:  he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"

I don't know about you, but I believe.  We will be reunited with our loved ones if we trust in God.  I also believe that we should put aside any differences we have.  Life is to short to be mad or unhappy with family.  Mend those broken fences.  Make an effort to visit with those loved ones.  Especially the older ones.  They are our history.  If we don't listen to their stories and recollections, they're gone.  And they can't be replaced.  I'm not trying to preach, just been thinking since the funeral this morning.  Life isn't long enough.  I'm going to try and make an effort to visit with those relatives.  Will you?

Rest in peace, Uncle Lindy.  You will be missed.

Ivan