My friends, yesterday we celebrated Easter. In the ultimate revelation of love, we rejoiced in the stunning victory over death. And it reminded me of all I had learned by attending three funerals a couple of weeks ago.

At the first funeral, I was reminded to live in such a way that I can die with no regrets. At the second, to endure the unfathomable heartache of loss with honesty, with patience, and with a heart opened to blessings in the midst of the storm. And at the third, that even in the midst of divisive times or at the end a long, successful life, that phone calls reminding others of their value matter to them. And speak volumes about the individuals choosing love.