Life is finite. This comes front and center for me at weddings and funerals. The beginnings of the new, and all the promise ahead. The endings honoring lives well lived.As glorious and saddening as both events are? For me? There is one inescapable truth … fulfillment of God’s promise. His Love may never be more present than during a wedding or a funeral.Never miss a wedding or a funeral.Yesterday I traveled to Ponte Vedra, Florida to attend the funeral of my first cousin. Had a full calendar for the day. But there’s never anything that can’t wait. I rationalized at first. My cousin was a great friend. All the family history. And such a great guy. But maybe a note, a phone call … or the common gesture of sending flowers? Surely the family, especially his beautiful wife would understand. No, the decision wasn’t even a close one. Go! I did.

Very early flight … returning shortly after the reception. I arrived early. Found a small gathering in an open area of the sanctuary. Could this be the funeral? Twenty people or so? No. This was the family conducting a brief ceremony burying my cous’. I actually felt a bit out of place … not feeling I was a member of the immediate family. My feelings were put to rest by a wonderful gal who was there for the funeral itself. “Oh, your Mal’s cousin!? Let me take you to the Family Room where the gathering of family takes place before the funeral. This gal was so great. “I just love people.” Again slightly apprehensive I stood in the Family Room awaiting the arrival of the group of relatives as the burial service concluded.There are moments you will never forget. My cousin’s widow, Susie entered the room. She caught my eye. “Oh my God! I can’t believe it.” A long, so warm embrace. A loving stare. Tears in both our eyes. Her hands on my cheeks. Another gaze. Surprise? Yes. Love? I felt it so much love. Know Susie did to.

The service was beautiful. Brief time at the reception and I was off to fly home. Was probably there for an hour and a half. A total blessing.

As I reflected on the plane coming home. Weddings and funerals. Never miss them. I knew my cousin Mal. Always loved Susie. But the moment I saw her? Well, the full 90 minutes was filled with emotion. The family was so gracious, so welcoming.But I’ll never forget the sixty seconds Susie and I connected. I was a bit taken back. Memories rushed through my mind unexpectedly as we looked at each other. Mal and all the remembrances. How he reminded my of my dad. “He just loved your father.”, Susie exclaimed.Sixty seconds of Susie’s greeting. So appreciative of me being there. Sixty seconds. If this had been my entire experience yesterday? It was worth five times the effort.God’s Love is never more present than at weddings and funerals. And maybe above all, as I reflected on my day … love is timeless. Whether it be a week, month … or sixty seconds. Love is timeless. I’ll never forget the weddings and funerals I’ve attended over many years.

But there are moments that shine ever so brightly. The sixty seconds of love I experienced with Susie yesterday? God’s love could not have been more present.

God speed, dear Mal,Well done …