Three Words or Less

I got a call from Jeanie & Mona yesterday. They were on their way home from the cemetery after making the final arrangements for Mom's ashes. Even though Dad has chosen to be buried in the ocean they went ahead and put his name and dates on her plaque as well. And, they had an assignment for me- There was space for only 3 short words or 2 long words for an epitaph so what did I want to put on it? They having already decided that I was 'the writer' of the family. Wow. So.. how do you sum up a life in 3 words or less? Should it be a description of them, a testimony or even an admonition to the reader; humorous or serious etc? Of course, it also complicated things that it was for both rather than just one of them. Needless to say I spent a sleepless night mulling it over.. coming up with and rejecting countless ideas. In the process it made me think.. what would I want on MY tombstone? Sobering thought. I'm not sure I've come up with anything particularly profound.. although I do like the one that was brought up in Conference this weekend.."Please, no empty chairs". That's really what it is all about isn't it? Family. A family unit that stretches into eternity.
If you're wondering.. yes, we did finally come up with something for Mom and Dad. Three words that made us all smile as we remember them... "Stories, Laughter, Love" We hope they would be pleased as well.
Thank you Mom and Dad for each and every 'Bowser Legend', the priceless gift of humor, the sweet assurance that we were loved and so very much more.
Much love,
Marnie, Bob, Mona, Jeanie & Buffy