So I know what more than likely popped into your head once you read the title of this article, and that might be something to the effect of, "Why is this guy writing an article about funerals so close to the Holiday Season?!" Bear with me, ye of little faith. It is quite unnatural for somebody to be writing about the death of somebody close to the holiday season, let alone 3 days before Christmas. However, I believe that in life, it's necessary to do some unnatural things at this time of year. I mean, the New Year's Resolutions are going to start flowing in from people who have somewhat of a full effort in keeping that resolution. So, what better "event" to re-evaluate my life than the death of my great-grandfather.

As I sat next to my dad at the visitation service, he looked lost in thought. I asked him what was wrong, and he replied with him just looking back at his life, due to the fact he has already lost his father, grand-father, step-mother, aunt, and some other members from his side of our family. As I heard his response, I suddenly started re-evaluating my own life. While I might only be 21, there is still quite a lot in my life I started to look back on. I had a number of relationships that I might have wished had ended better than they did. There are some job opportunities I may have missed out on in the earlier teenager years of my life, due to the negligence with responsibility I had. I play the game "What If", and if you play this game not too carefully, you can end up playing for hours without end. When played properly, this game is a pretty interesting one, because there's no practical way you can see the outcome being anything other than where you are in your life already. I am a firm believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason, and I fully believe I am in the place of my life that I am currently, because of a reason. While I may not the full significance of that reason, it does exist.

Not only does a funeral make you think about where you've already been in life, but it also makes you ponder where you're going in your own life. My great-grandfather had lived his life the way HE chose. Let me say that again, just so you have a clear understanding of that. HE lived HIS life the way HE chose. He traveled across all 50 states of this country, as well as to 21 countries. He served in the Navy, and worked for everything he earned. He didn't have his mom plan his life out, and he didn't live his life based off of a celebrity, at least to my knowledge. If you want the perfect life, then you live the way YOU choose. I am currently in a steady relationship with a woman I have been beyond lucky to be the source of her happiness, joy, laughter, and sometimes even frustration. As I sat during the funeral service in my Army Service Uniform, (dress blues for you people who prefer fancy terms) I thought deeply about where my life was currently going. I'm going to school in order to obtain a Bachelor's of Science Degree in the School of Law Enforcement, with a possible double-minor in Psychology and Exercise Science. I have already obtained my Military Police Diploma from military training. I am a personal coach with Beachbody in order to improve peoples' lives the way THEY want to improve them. I live my life the way I choose, and I know I have the ancestors who came before me, who are reaching the end of their time-cards on this Earth, and who are living with me now, to thank for that. I love you Great-Grandpa. I can't wait to see you again, and thank you for teaching me how to live life the way I choose.