Today was my first day back after a 5 day leave of absence. With the exception of my honey moon I have never been absent from any job for that length of time. I am however getting to enjoy it quite well.
This leave from work was not the kind you ever want to take. There was a death in the family. Now, it wasn't exactly unexpected. She was 95 years old and had been close to death a number of times in recent months. Each time she would be at the brink of death and would miraculously pull back at the last moment.
My wife's extended family all live in New Jersey so this is the first time any of us have met and even though I never met her I know her grandmother was a beautiful woman. I can tell by how much her surviving family mourned her loss. They were all deeply affected by her and, even though she was 95, they weren't ready to let her go.
The reverend made a comment at the funeral service which made a lasting impression on me. She said, "I can always tell how much a person was loved and how great a person they were by how many tears are shed when they are gone." It was something I already knew in my heart, but had not found the words to convey.