“A life that touches the hearts of others lives on forever.
In Gratitude and Appreciation for Cross Justice Goodwin.”
-the inscription on my son’s memorial bench.
During the months after my son passed, I spent a lot of time trying to think of what to put on his memorial bench. I felt it was extremely important and I felt I had to get it “right”. I believe I finally got it. The inscription alludes to how many lives Cross touched as well as to how he will always live on through us. The message also gives us hope that we can touch the hearts and lives of others to make a difference in this world.
I have spent many difficult days and nights over the past year and a half trying to find my way; trying to find purpose and reason in a world that was flipped on its side. This week, when we were sitting at the park with Cross, it hit me – I had already figured it out. The purpose that makes the most sense to me is that we are here to touch the hearts of others. We are here to share our love and be here for one another. Now, this isn’t groundbreaking, I probably would have said something similar years ago. The difference to me now is that when I was struck down to the ground - when I found myself at a place where I was scrambling to make sense of my son’s short life and what remained of it, I discovered the only thing that mattered to me was the love. No question remains, I know this, without a shadow of a doubt.
My message to the World remains the same. Please let your loved ones know they are important to you, reach out to people, let them know you are thinking of them, let them know that they bring a smile to your face, forgive petty grievances, share the love you have with this world. It needs it. It needs you.