Celebrate Life

Over the past week, I've been bombarded by death. We all have really, with the multiple celebrity deaths, specifically the beloved Michael Jackson. But then I also had a close friend lose her grandmother last week, so a few close friends road tripped it to South Carolina on Sunday to attend the funeral and be by our friend's side.

The combination of these events got me thinking what I want my funeral to be like. First of all, I want it to be a celebration of life. No matter when I go-even if it's tomorrow, I believe God's blessed me with a full, abundant life, so I want people to celebrate this blessing of life that God gives us. My favorite way to celebrate is dancing, so I want a big dance party with all my favorite songs that I love to dance and sing at the top of my lungs. The following is a glimpse of my celebration playlist:

1. Holiday-Madonna
2. Bombs Over Baghdad-Outkast
3. Man in the Mirror-Michael Jackson
4. Change-Tupac
5. I'll be missing you-P. Diddy version
6. Pour some Sugar on me-Def Leopard
7. Dancing on the Ceiling-Lionel Ritchie
8. PYT-Michael Jackson
9. Bye Bye Bye-'N Sync
10. Step by Step-New Kids on the Block
11. Don't Stop Believing-Journey
12. The Way you make me Feel-Michael Jackson
13. Like a Prayer-Madonna
14. Low-Flo Rida
15. Sunday Bloody Sunday-U2
16. All Night Long-Lionel Ritchie

This is just a sample of songs, that I wouldn't necessarily label amazing music, so don't judge me. But they are all songs that when I hear them come on, I grab the closest fake microphone and sing at the top of my lungs and start shaking my hips. It's music that makes me happy.

I want the tears to turn from sad to happy and that silly stories are shared that makes everyone laugh. With all the death that's happened this week, it's amazing to hear the accomplishments, the blessing and the mark these people have made on the world. Hearing my friend share the influence that her grandmother had in her life and others lives was a beautiful reminder that life is a gift from God, and we have a chance to make something amazing of it. Although the loss is sad, overall the thumbprint we make in God's story is worth celebrating. So if I go to be with Jesus tomorrow, I want my funeral to be a party.