A few days ago I attended the funeral of a distant relative on my fathers side of the family. I didn’t know this person well and only remember him from family visits as a child. I was there out of respect, because his family had attended my mothers funeral earlier this year and because I know that my father would have wanted someone there from our family.
I was a little leery about attending. I normally let this type of “representing” fall to my sister. She has a keener sense of responsibility in that regard and so I often “let” her take the lead.
This was the first funeral I’ve attended since my mother passed away in April so there was also that resurgence of feelings.
After it was over I was glad I’d gone. I feel for a few people my being there meant something and it gave me a chance to quietly delve into some of my own thoughts and feelings of recent and past events.
So what’s my point here?
Just that we often reap benefits from pushing beyond our daily comfort zones. Off the path, so to speak, and the reason for my selecting the photo above.
I think this applies across the board to our lives, our relationships and our art.
Photo: Nikon D700 ISO200 32mm f/4.0 1/250sec