I have been occupied with obituaries this week.
My uncle Bruce Baker passed away on November 15, 2016. Another more distant relative, who attended a Baker reunion this summer (Henry Heald), passed away on November 17, 2016. 94 years and 88 years respectively.
Neither of these men were relatives whom I saw on a daily or even annual basis (actually, I met Henry only once). But relatives nonetheless.
Relativity signifies a bond that is of blood or kinship. That bond does not need proximity of location, or enjoyment of a pasttime, or even just liking someone. You just are.
To be or not to be! That is not the question. You are.
I read my relatives accomplishments and smile. One was a well known character in Whitehorse. The other was a writer/journalist in the Ottawa area. One loved mining, the other was an agriculturalist. One was from the West, the other from the East. Both could spin a tale.
Their stories were indicative of life livers. There was no slowness of heart in their endevours.
Not unlike how I would like to be known.
Obituaries can be life giving.