We went to another funeral this last week. There’s a different kind of sadness for every kind of loss. This was a friend we hadn’t stayed in touch with, you know, as much as we should have.

Sarah, Marcus’ schoolmate and friend, for most of his school years. She was at his first Halloween Party, probably about 25 years ago. She was such a tiny girl then, bursting with joyful energy.

The priest who officiated her mass commented how Sarah had a few traits worth envy and aspiration, one trait was certainly that joyful energy that was both consistant and contagious.

Sarah was taken unexpectedly and quickly from a brief illness. In our community we know this can happen to anyone at any time. We live with that undercurrent. For those we hold most dear, this uncertainty is constant. We are reminded at every birthday, every monumental moment, at every other loss – life is fragile and unpredictable. Life is precious and we are blessed.

The mass was held at perhaps Omaha’s most beautiful and historic cathedral, St. Cecelia’s. It was worthy of her.

So was the “Sharing Peace” section. Certainly it began with the the quiet mumbling of conservative church-goers, but soon…over that hum, there were smiles and waves between friends, even walking down the aisles to hug.

Sarah’s friends.

A life worth living, a life worth knowing. We will miss her.