The Kindness of Sharing Memories

"Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others."
~ Rosa Parks

I went to the wake for a dear friend of mine's father tonight.  It was a tough thing to do on a very busy evening that required incredible juggling on both my husband's and my parts.  But my friend is more family than friend and I wanted to be there.  It turns out that I was the one who received a gift.

At the wake, I ran into an older gentleman whom I know.  I knew that he had known my late father when they were children and that they had made their First Communion together, but I did not know much else.  When I mentioned the First Communion, the gentleman shared that not only had they made their First Communion together, but also that he had been in the same class with my father for seven years, beginning in kindergarten.  He then went on to tell me how smart my father was and how it was impossible to topple him from first place in the class.  "Every year, it was the same thing," the gentleman recalled.  He also told me about my great-grandparents' house, which he had occasion to visit and which I have never seen.  I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with this gentleman and appreciate his kindness in sharing memories of my late father.  For me, it was an invaluable gift.