Welcome to thanks for being here. Very short pod that comes out every Sunday morning as

Sundays are such a good time to let go of the day to day and touch base with what matters,

what will matter and what will have mattered. The answer to that question for me is often

found in ceremonies. I could watch strangers get married once a week and I'm even more

affected by funerals sitting in a service, taking in the story of one life. Just another

ordinary person who they loved and who loved them. In a way, eulogies are about the most succinct

source of clarity and direction I can think of. So I ask listeners who have lost someone dear

to share their words and every week I'll read one eulogy here so that we don't forget there is

a point to the pain. We have much to offer. We affect each other deeply and that ordinary

lives are really kind of exquisite when you look at them closely. This is thanks for being here.

Hi guys. Happy Sunday. Today's thanks for being here is from a woman named Cindy Bird.

She writes hello Kellyanne Staff. I wrote this as a public eulogy for the daughter of a friend of mine

who made such a huge impact in our community. It was shared in our local paper and used by the

family at her service and you are so right. Reflecting on a life well lived is always a useful exercise.

Thank you Cindy for this piece called Abe the Brave.

Once in a great while maybe even just once in a lifetime a person comes along who totally changes

your perspective teaches you what matters and gives you an example of what loving your fellow man

is supposed to look like. Avery Anderson was that person. On the surface Avery's life seemed pretty

ordinary. A small town girl with a sharp sense of humor who left soccer, Bible journaling helping

with the children's ministry at her church and a pretty color of teal green. But anyone who was

acquainted with Avery knew she was far from ordinary. She affected her family, her school, her town,

her state she was known around the world. She was the most pure embodiment of love for her fellow

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