How do you say goodbye to a legend?

I had a very different post prepared for today’s blog entry and then with out any warning life happened while I was busy making plans or in this case posts. I got a call from my cousin. Her father, my Great Uncle Jim is in the hospital. He is 74 years young and survived a stroke 11 years ago, beat lung cancer five years ago and this summer he was diagnosed with Barrett’s Disease. Due to the previous treatment for the lung cancer, there are no viable treatments available. We thought we would have months maybe a year. He has embraced the news the same way he has handled everything in life. With humor, acceptance and most of all style. For the past 7 months he has been living life to the fullest and a couple of days ago his body responded as if it literally fell off a cliff. Today I found out we will be lucky if we have weeks. I immediately went to the hospital but I thought to myself on the way how do you say goodbye to a legend?

I believe the answer is you  live like one yourself.

My uncle Jim is one of five Great Uncles. My grandmother and her four sisters married five incredible men. All of them in their own way are bigger than life. We used to call Uncle Jim and Aunt Shirley our Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor. They are the babies of the Titans and the most fun. They were all the rage in their day. They looked like movie stars and they definitely partied like one. They lived life the way they intended and they lived with no regrets. They experienced lots of challenges but they chose to embrace them and have fun anyway. They have given us great soil in which to grow and I am so grateful he has lasted long enough to see us, his flowers bloom.

It seems lately the Titans are leaving us faster than planes taking off in O’Hare airport. What they are leaving behind are the contrails of their love and the lessons they have learned.

So in honor of my Uncle Jim and the time the Universe is giving us to help him transition into his next adventure I give you a gift and share some of the precious gems he and the Giants of our family have given to me.

Here are 3 ways You can live like a Legend.

Party Like A Movie  Star

The Titans lived through the depression in the 30′s, the war of the 40′s made it through the layoffs in the seventies, and the major medical bills in the nineties. Through example they taught it doesn’t matter what is or is not going on in your life their is always something to celebrate. They would tell you when things aren’t going your way make a new way. Find time for fun. Make family, fun and friendship a priority.

Be Who You Are

My Aunt and Uncles are not the richest, or the most sainted by any means. They are as real and imperfect as they come and that is what makes them so special. They would tell you to be yourself and if people don’t like it you don’t need them. You are enough and you have value. Be willing to be an original.

What ever you do, do it BIG

The titans all had dreams. Some of them came to fruition and some of them didn’t. They did not allow their disappointments to define them. They embraced their mistakes and made some really big ones. They would tell you comparison is everything and experience is the best teacher. If you are not making any mistakes you are not doing much.

I hope you take these gems and use them to find your treasures in life. This post is my tribute to mine.

Live in Abundance,

Kim