Individual ways of honoring past influences on our lives

This past weekend I went on vacation with my wife to see a great couple get married and also just to get away and celebrate my wife’s birthday. It was a great trip exploring new parts of Michigan. We came across a lake as we were beginning the second part of our trip, and as my wife was reading me a sign explaining the lake’s history, I couldn’t help feeling some tucked away feelings as I smelt the rocky water through the sunny breeze. The smell reminded me of when my family went up to visit my grandparents. We would go out on the lake by their house and have a great time. The reason for the extra emotions is because in a couple of days will mark another year since his passing. I remember the call that informed me of this news. I also remembered that I had been packed and ready to train that night. I remembered thinking that I was probably being insensitive by training after hearing of my Grandpa’s passing, but what was I going to do at home? I live in a different state than my family, so I wasn’t able to help with arrangements. I would’ve just went home to my apartment alone to feel sorry. I have dealt with the grief that comes with a loss since then, but at the time I needed to be around people. I’m not saying that you should wipe away grief and sadness, but to embrace it in your own way. Soon after that day, I had come to realize that me training that night was a way of honoring him. “Do good work” was something he always told me after a phone conversation, and that is what I did and continue to do. I had a Leader Dog that I had to put down a couple of years ago. Yes, it still hurts, but I know that I honor his passing the same waay. I work hard. One of my JiuJitsu brothers passed away and I know that one of his joys was training and wanting others to train, so I keep at it to honor him. I realize that this may sound silly to some to get all sweaty as a form of paying tribute to others, but we all have our own ways of getting through difficult times. Hope this didn’t bring down your mood that much. Have a great weekend everyone. EyeRoll4 the ability to pay tribute and honor positive influences in my life.