Keepin' it Alive.

Thursday was my first funeral that I've attended here in Chevak. In fact, it's the first funeral that I've since my dad passed away in 2009. 

It took a lot of thought for me to decide to go. I had never met the person that passed away but I knew many members of his family since I've been here in Chevak. I didn't want it to come off as disrespectful for me to show up to a funeral for a person that I don't even know. I wanted to be able though to show my support to the family since they've been so welcoming/helpful to me since I've been here. After much thought, I decided that I'd go for the family.

It was hard for me. It was also different. I'm not Catholic so there were aspects that I wasn't familiar with. I found myself getting choked up many times throughout the service. 

Many of the family members went up to speak. There were two things that really hit me. The first thing that I heard that I'm sure I've heard a million times, but this time it actually really hit me. She said "It's okay to cry..". The second thing that I had heard from a different family member was "Keep him alive in your hearts, with your memories". It was such a positive message to hear at a time when there is usually so much sadness. 

It reminded me that no matter where you end up, you can keep people/memories/events alive within your heart. Even if you can't physically be there with them or be in that place. 

When I'm missing home or my family or friends, I can keep the memories alive within my heart. That's pretty comforting for me...