From the Memorial Doctor’s personal experience, the loss of a loved one
is very painful. My father, Rufus Burton Fletcher Sr. passed away in his home outside of
Lake City, Florida, on October 10, 1998. I still think about Dad, and both the good and
not so good times we shared together. Perhaps you too have lost a loved one.
I found that staying busy after Dad’s death was the best medicine for my recovery.
Sure, some days were better than others, and the painful loss persists, but Dad would have
wanted me to focus on living a good life, and to live my life in a certain way “so we
can see each other again.”
Some time ago, I received an email with anonymous quotes that were floating around the
Internet. Perhaps you received a copy, too. I’ll share it with you with the hope that
those words of solace will act as a balm for day to day living and moving forward with
your life.
"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time!"
“Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged...
it's how I arrange my mind.”
“I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I
have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts
of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that
do.”
“Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all
the happy memories I've stored away ...just for this time in my life.”
“Old age is like a bank account: you withdraw from what you've put in.”
“So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of
memories.”
“Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank. I am still depositing.”
“Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.”
In sum, arrange your mind for happiness, appreciate the gifts that you were given, and
focus on the positive memories you have stored away. Deposit positive memories into your
memory bank and remember, “This too shall pass.”
From the Memorial Doctor’s personal experience, the loss of a loved one
is very painful. My father, Rufus Burton Fletcher Sr. passed away in his home outside of
Lake City, Florida, on October 10, 1998. I still think about Dad, and both the good and
not so good times we shared together. Perhaps you too have lost a loved one.