it will haunt you forever...

I am one of those people that believe in burying the dead.  Not cremation. 

I am not against cremation at all (and those that decide in favor of it), I just believe a burial is much more ceremonial – the way a death should be.

I think it has something to do with the amount of effort required or closure or respect. 

And…it might just have something to do with what I’ve most commonly seen in my past 29 years.

I remember back in 2006 when we had to put our old dog down.  Buddy was a 15 year old mutt, that already had a few close calls in his long 105 year old life. 

One cold day in February, we all knew it was time.  Before the family could unite to take him to the vet for his last car ride, I went outside to get started on digging his grave.  It was 12 degrees outside, the ground was frozen, and there was 2 feet of snow. 

I dug as hard as I could.  I had to.   I owed it to the dog that was my friend since I was 7. I had to end it right.

The pain took away the pain. 

He deserved a good ending.

The way I see it, if you don’t end it right, it will haunt you forever.

Last week, I saw a face from my past that had an incredible impact on my life.  Many years ago, a mentor and I didn't see eye to eye, and it didn’t end right.

But luckily, life will sometimes give you another chance.   Last week, I had my chance.

I was finally able to bury it in the way it deserves.  

Whether it’s out of respect, or closure, or just downright effort… Remember, If you don’t end it right, it will haunt you forever.