I recently attended a Celebration of Life gathering for a dear one. Young of 35 years, funny, talented, a loving, generous gentle giant of a man is how I would describe him. He struggled with opioid addiction for many years. It finally took his life.

When my son and I first entered the room, I wondered if we were in the wrong place. There was a band playing old rock and roll music and a banquet table covered with delicious looking foods and ample drinks open to everyone's grieving appetite! People were mingling, embracing one another with hugs while in the background the sounds of Dire Straits, Al Green, The Eagles, and more played! I felt comfortably uncomfortable and yet, just to be sure we were in the right place, I still asked someone if this was a memorial gathering for our friend. I smiled at the reply.
"Of course it is! Wouldn't he have loved this?!"