My word for this year is LEARN.  

So it just makes sense to use this Year of Sundays to reflect on 52 of my most significant Life Lessons.   Some may seem more significant than others, but each one has changed how I live my life in powerful way.   I’d love to hear if and how any of these same lessons have surfaced in the classroom of Your Life.

Death doesn’t kill love.

My sister, Mari, would have been 67 today.   I said, “I love you best” for that last time to her 654 days ago.  Here’s a snippet of who she was:

 Mari Bearnes Couch, 65, ended this part of her life on January 6, 2012, much earlier than she and those who love her would have preferred.

She lived a rich and full life – celebrating her deep Havelock, N.C. roots; her strong British heritage and that she explored much of the world with her beloved family.

Mari was a wonderful wife, loving daughter, incredible mother and grandmother, the best sister ever and a generous friend. In addition to serving as a Station Manager for Piedmont Airlines and USAir, Mari was a teacher, leader, manager, writer, healer, crisis negotiator, phenomenal cook, counselor, comedienne, artist, and entrepreneur.

She loved animals – especially dogs. Her family often joked that in their next lives, they’d love to come back as one of Mari’s dogs.

Mari was predeceased by her father, Kendell L Bearnes. She is survived by her husband, Joseph C Couch II of the home; mother, Edna Jackson Bearnes of New Bern; sons, Joseph C. Couch III & wife, Heather of Havelock and Kendell Jay Couch & wife Kristy of Supply; five grandchildren – Alyssa, Blake, Harley, McKenna and Jerrah; sister, Lisa Bearnes Richey of Lake Waccamaw; maternal aunt, Marie Hollis & husband Allan of Somerset, England; sister-in-law, Annette Couch of Grand Rapids, Minn.; five cousins and her darling Westie, Tika.

Cotten Funeral Home is handling her arrangements. A private burial service at Greenleaf Cemetery will be followed by a public memorial service at Cotten Funeral Home Monday, January 9, 2012, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Canady officiating. Mari’s family will receive friends at the family home following the memorial service.

Mari’s family is grateful for the compassion, generosity, love and prayers from all over the world and across faith and denominational lines as we celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to animal rescue/service organizations. Mari would have loved that.

Mari also loved to laugh and help others laugh, too.   She also loved any shade of orange and pumpkin pie.   So this morning, I miss and celebrate my big sis ~ by finding much about which to laugh, while eating pumpkin pie for breakfast and sipping from my (now favorite) orange water bottle.

How do you celebrate those you love and miss?