The Kindness, Beauty and Sadness of a Farewell

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
~ Lao Tzu

I recently attended a funeral Mass for a woman who lived in my community.  She lived a long life -- she would have been 87 this year, although the last few years were difficult as she suffered from a degenerative disease.  Her husband of 66 years lovingly cared for her.  At the end of the Mass, the widower stood up, looking a bit more frail than usual, but also looking determined -- determined to say his piece.  He shared that he wanted to say a few words in Flemish, which was their native language.  I do not understand Flemish, but I understood -- as did everyone else in that church -- what he was saying.  And I am sure that I was not the only one to wipe away tears.