Many say that life is a journey; an adventurous journey as Helen Keller said, life is either an adventurous journey or it’s nothing. For Casey, he had traveled with such an adventurous spirit, exploring to find how to live his life to the fullest at every moment. I am sure that he has given us a valuable lesson to see what life is meant to be.
Whether we admit or not, we are all sojourners on earth, temporary and limited in space and time. We have been sent by someone to experience life on purpose. It could be God’s dream for us or our mission on earth. But how often do we act as if we live on earth forever? For those who strive to find eternal life in mortal reality, Casey seems to be dead because they don’t have any hope after this life. However, we believe that the souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them. After the joy and suffering, the soul of Casey is in the hands of God, finding a home at last. He is in peace because life journey is supposed to end at some point. By knowing that, the people of God are able to be adventurous and humorous like Casey. He knew that our life on earth is limited and is not meant to be weary; rather, it should be joyful. For someone who truly knows death somehow can enjoy life because life goes along with death all the time. Only plastic flowers never die. All the living enjoys a moment of being alive, singing, dancing, and praising their creator. Casey loves all the living including birds. I have never seen any birds look tired or weary because it is full of life. Casey knew this, so he loved it so much.
The adventurous spirit never fades. It flourishes by itself, so Casey had built many things out of passion. If someone loves, his love shines forth so that others recognize he is fully alive. His many crafts are an evidence of it. And the truly adventurous soul never fails to laugh. First of all, he is able to laugh at himself. He doesn’t take himself seriously like he doesn’t take life and death seriously because he knows it is all up to God. Once you let things go, how free of your soul! Casey had enjoyed the freedom of soul that let things be as it is, so he enjoyed joking around, bringing smile and happiness to others. Here it reminds me of the movie “The Bucket List” that the two terminally ill friends travel to Egypt to see the magnificent pyramids. They talk about the ancient Egyptians who believed that when they come to the gates of paradise in the afterlife, they will be asked two questions, the answers to which will determine whether or not they are admitted. The first is, “Have you found joy in your life?” And the second question turns out to be similar: “Have you brought joy to others in your life?” I think if Casey heard these questions, he would smile. His life itself was a joy to others, we truly believe.
However, after all, this is still hard for us to let our beloved go which means our need to say goodbye to Casey in human language. We won’t see him again and there won’t be the same laugh and gathering anymore. Nevertheless, we believe that, in God’s love, Casey finds much more joy than ever, waiting for us to join him. And our final consolation is not anything about his achievement but his sincere heart in men and faith in God. He prayed the Lord’s Prayer day after day so that it can be his prayer forever. His firm belief in God will lead him to God. We now come to know that life is a journey and it is not all about us but about God who generously shares His life with us through love and takes it back in an appointed time. We are grateful for this wonderful life; we are thankful for gifts of joy and love in Casey’s life and death; we are joyful for laughter and fun even sorrow we have had with Casey, God’s beloved son. Now we let him go, praying for him to be at peace in God. And we also pray for the remained, especially Rose after seventy-years long marriage. May God’s peace and happiness be with him forever. Amen.
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