The Abbreviated Life - To Its Fullest

Tonight at the Henderson's, we have heavy hearts, and so our standard cocktail hour will be curtailed, but our 'thought-tale' will be shared for your consideration.  Twice this week, I was reminded of the absolute gut punch you are delivered when faced with the loss of a human who dies much sooner than we all believe is the right amount of time.  As I once again shed tears and the remembrance of that ugly shadow in the newness of the event, a word began to come to me over and over: 

Abbreviated.  

These were lives that were shortened, but the length does not diminish the fullness of the meaning of life.  Their lives were merely abbreviated.

 I looked up the definition, and it certainly fits.  "A word shortened to represent the complete form."  When you look at the word, you don't miss the brilliance of the full meaning.  You might not even KNOW it's real meaning.  In fact, the Abbreviation has taken the place of the full expression.  Consider "R.S.V.P.."  Quick, do you know what the letters represent? How about the daily used "A.M./P.M"? Much of these abbreviated lives, the meaning, has taken on a new face in the abstract. 

Just as important, very specific, nothing lost. Nothing lost.  

The abbreviation has just enough to remind us of what the fullness of the word brings. So goes the abbreviated lives of those who are only with us for a few months or 22, 26, 27, 42 years as they leave us with a lasting definition.  The definition does not lack for anything, except perhaps, more length.  We want more words, more description, more experience. More.  But as time goes on, we learn to see how the abbreviation is still a beautiful expression of a life well lived that continues to grow in meaning.  The acronym becomes more accepted, even though it carries a small gasp in its pronouncement.   

As the song goes, "It's the sharp knife of a short life. 

Oh well...  

I've had just enough time."

(The Band Perry, 'If I Die Young')

So no cocktail tonight, because we don't need more of anything to bring us down.  Instead, we will build a fire, cuddle, and breath deeply to T.G.I.F., an abbreviation we dearly understand tonight.  Love to you Friends, from Chris and Joy.