Today I went to a funeral. Funerals are something that I both hate and love at the same time. The first funeral I attended with any full realization was my father's funeral. That was a day I lost a little bit of myself and came face to face with my own mortality. Unlike many people, my faith tells me where I came from, what I am doing here, and where I am going when it is over. But up to this time, I'd never come face to face with the realization that I was truly mortal and my time here on the earth was limited.
Do you read Stephen Covey? In his book "The Seven Habits" he said for you to close your eyes and imagine you could see your own funeral.
Who would be there? I know a few short years ago I knew no one would show up to my funeral because they couldn't afford to take off work. I hope I've changed that.
What would they say about you? I know a few short years ago, what would have been said was "he was good in business" but I'm trying to change that to "he was a good man."
Would they say anything kind about you? I'm sure some platitudes might be offered, but I'm not sure as to the validity of my kindness towards other people. Again, something to work on.
Today, I attended a funeral that shook me to the core of my very being, my very existence. Many things were revealed to me today as I sat watching in amazement the whole thing unfold before me.
First of all, Sunday it started snowing and we had one of the worst snow storms of the year. I traveled on roads which were caked with snow and ice to attend the funeral, figuring the family would be there but not too many other people because of the weather.
My estimation was there were more than 120+ people, many of whom I have not seen for 12 years or more. As I went into the building to go to the viewing, I saw so many people I was just simply astounded.
I talked to old friends and caught up on lives I've missed out on. Ten years puts a lot of wear on the human condition, and I was astounded to see how much we'd all aged since the last time we were together. These people are very near and dear to me, these people are the ones who helped to introduce me to my faith, much of the tears I shed today were tears of happiness to see them as many were the tears of sorrow and loss for a kind and good man.
I had another epiphany as well. During many times of instruction, I'd been told that I should see myself as the first of many at the head of a family possibly extending out into eternity and growing bigger and bigger as time passes. I can tell you today this is what I saw. I saw a man, a kind and wonderful father, whose family of son's and daughter's, grandchildren and even possibly great-grandchildren made up the first three rows completely. I know each of these sons served missions, and so I wonder how many people they'd introduced to our faith? How many of those they introduced have introduced others? My mind boggled at the numbers. I know one of his son's introduced me to my faith, and as a direct result of this man, my son served an honorable mission and my daughter is married to a wonderful returned missionaries. I think families CAN be together forever, not just through the teachings of my faith, but also through the fact that one man can truly make a difference and can change the world.
Going back to Stephen Covey, who was there? There were not friends, there were people who this man had truly touched in his life, and he lived his faith on a daily basis even to the end of the days. There were family from everywhere, there were people I didn't even know existed who lined up to honor this man - a simple carpenter - a man who I found out lived a life of service just like we are taught to do and one I fall so short of. I heard example after example today of what this man had done for those who were in true need of help, even even to the point of giving someone his new coat as a boy because a friend did not have one - to paying for a hot water heater for a person who was without hot water for a whole year.
Today was a humbling event. What you need to understand is that I used to put on a pedestal the giants and captains of industry. I used to read the "MBA" book of the month, and I can speak what me and another friend termed as "MBA'ese" better than just about anyone. (We must realize the synergy of the situation to reach the low hanging fruit to tackle this not as a problem, but as an opportunity.) I can walk in the worlds of the accountants, the finance guys, the tech guys, as well as the legal and personnel guys - because I learned their language and the way they think because this was my definition of success.
My definition of success almost destroyed my family as I simply became another person when out traveling from the person I was at home. I almost lost everything like so many of those I just about worshiped and wished I could be like, as soon as I realized these people were telling me they were on their third and fourth marriages - or had never been married. To this day, my greatest regret was not following something my daughter wrote when she was very young, someone asked if they could wish for something, what would it be? She wrote "I wish my dad didn't travel so much." I don't know why, but I kept this note in my office for years as a reminder to "someday" do that.
But today I saw the real definition of success. I saw a wonderful family honor a great and wonderful man who lived his faith and never gave up, even when times were hard. I saw a man that I now hope someday I can even come close to emulate, because he truly touched lives and made differences in the world. He built a legacy to reach down into generations. One hundred years from now, I know the family will be able to name the person who started the family down the path of our faith - can you say we can remember who was the best buggy whip maker or carriage maker from a hundred years ago?
So today I honor Don Pierson. I honor him for his example to me. I honor him for his example to his family. I honor him for his service to humanity, with no return expected. I know that today, this wonderful man was smiling as he saw everyone gather to celebrate a life well done. I honor this man, because in his loving way, and in his death, he even managed to help another person, me, to understand the importance of the gift of service and being a faithful and obedient servant.
Thank you for your life. Thank you for your son, who baptized me and confirmed me and set my family on the road we've been traveling together. Thank you for the example you lived every day of your life. And finally, thank you for the smile that was always on your face, even when you were in such pain and agony.
