What Were You Thinking? JULY 2022

Greetings Family and Friends,

This past month our County lost 846 people.

That is a great loss.

This past month throughout the United States, more than 1 million people have died from the coronavirus.

This is very sad.

This past month innocent children died due to gun violence, physical abuse, and other horrific ways.

There are no words.

In the past six months, we have lost over 8,000 to drug overdose in the state of Florida, and many other unfortunate grief-stricken situations have crossed our great nation. So much it has embedded hopelessness and grief into many people's hearts.

It's enough to ask ourselves, "what are we doing to help the people we love in our homes and community?"

No matter the facts - loss is painful. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, how old they are, where they were, or what they were doing - they all have stories - they all had lived - and we wear that pain.

As we enter July and the warmth of summer heats up, we find ourselves stripping away layers to stay cooler.

I'd like to challenge you, to be honest with yourself and strip away the layers in your life that are causing you pain, loneliness, anxiety, and unhealthy habits.

It is time to heal.

It is time for forgiveness.

Forgiveness is difficult when we work at protecting the layers and walls we have built - but what if you just stripped them away like winter clothing on a hot summer day?

This month I encourage you to look at who you believe you truly are. Can you identify any hard layers that you need to strip away? Can you see them in other people? If so, will you have the courage to share with them so you can both heal?

Life is precious. We only have now. Not tomorrow, but now.

We all have the potential for greatness, no matter what stage, age, or season we are in.

No matter who has hurt you or the pain you are experiencing - you can strip away the old and build something memorable today.

Be remembered for all the good you share with the world. It is the season of stripping away and getting right in body, mind, and spirit.

Cheryl Lankford

Funeral Director

Lankford Funeral Home