Reading the Obituaries

So lately, I have developed an interest in the obituaries. Maybe I'm being morbid, but I have become fascinated in the lives of people I never knew. Sometimes it makes me sad that I didn't get the opportunity to meet them, and sometimes it makes me wonder what people will say about me...





So yesterday, I'm reading about the Rev. Carl Hay. After giving birth and death info, it states, "...he entered the ministry and pastored for sixty-five years. He was preceded in death by his parents, ... Services will be held..."








Right under it was this obit for Edward Abercrombie. His too, begins with birth and death dates and his occupation (Auto Club for 27 years). Then it says, "During his retirement years he played golf 2-3 times a week with his best pal, George Wilkinson. When George passed away, Ed put away his clubs and focused on following his beloved L.A. Dodgers. Ed was a fun loving, charismatic man and loved being part of the party. His days at Apple Valley Steak House, Joe Jost's and Francoise's Manhattan were where he and his abundance of friends would celebrate life. He will be missed by his loving family: Daughter... grandchildren...great-grandchildren... There will be a private family celebration of Ed's life."







The difference between these two obituaries couldn't be more stark.





One was dry and gave no indication of any knowledge of the person of Carl Edward Hay. Rev. Hay ostensibly gave his whole life to serving others, yet somehow, the person, friend or family member who penned this remembrance, could not bring theirself to state anything that would indicate he loved people and made an impact in people's lives. I'm sure he worked hard and people thought him successful. I'm sure he got the occasional, "Great sermon." I'm sure he felt like he was making a difference. I'm sure he thought his 100 years on the planet made a dent. But did he impact those closest to him? Those who would someday write his obituary? Was he a great husband and father? Did he impart love and wisdom to those God placed in his home?Perhaps he did, but it didn't show up here in this final opportunity to reveal his character. But perhaps the lack of saying anything says a lot...





Then there was "fun loving, charasmatic" Edward Abercrombie. This man, this life of the party, is someone I would have liked to have known. He seemed to never meet a stranger. All who knew him loved him. This man impacted people's lives! He celebrated life and had an abundance of friends. Yet this man hung out at bars, not in the pulpit... This man made a difference.





So this gave me pause to think. Do I want to do "ministry" or do I want to minister? Sometimes they are two different things.