Four Weddings and a Funeral

Having recently attended a wake and funeral approximately 5 hours from home, I realized just how similar the two events can be. Sure, one marks the beginning of a new life and one marks the end (I'll let the pessimists and the optimists duke it out as to which is which) - but both have many significant items in common.

Traits that both weddings and funerals share:

1. They can be ridiculously expensive
2. Attendees may travel many hours to get there - requiring overnight accommodations
3. In most cases, guests pick out their outfits with care
4. Depending on your relationships, they are both emotionally charged with both laughter and tears
5. They offer opportunities to reconnect with family and friends
6. There is usually an overabundance of food and beverage
7. Someone is chosen to speak publicly about the guest(s) of honor
8. There will be feelings of loss
9. Enough flowers to require double-doses of Claritin
10. Some sort of religious ceremony

I could go on for several pages about other commonalities, but to do so would water down the message, which is: take nothing for granted, and worry less about the material items and more about creating a life together worth remembering.