FEATURE — The new year is upon us, and we are moving forward into exciting “unknown territory” as we leave behind the old and ring in the new.

For most, ushering in a new year brings joy and excitement and a time to refresh ourselves, even making new resolutions for life. For others, it is hard to let go of the passing year. This is especially true for those who have lost a loved one.

Perhaps there were dreams never fulfilled, a life taken too soon or unexpectedly. There were still dreams to be dreamed. The bucket list of “things to do” did not get checked off.

Many individuals and couples have their own bucket lists of things they want to do before they “graduate” from this life. When death touches a loved one, that “list” can often be placed up on a shelf by the survivors, untouched.

In the Pixar motion picture “Up,” a 9-year-old boy, Carl, meets up with a girl named Ellie. Ellie has a childhood dream of moving her “clubhouse” – an abandoned house in the neighborhood – to a cliff overlooking exotic Paradise Falls. As the movie progresses, Carl and Ellie grow up, marry and live in the “clubhouse,” now their restored home.

After they learn that they cannot have children, Carl remembers Ellie’s dream of visiting Paradise Falls, and they start saving for the trip. Unfortunately, time and time again they need to spend the money on more pressing needs. As Carl and Ellie age, they finally have enough money to make the trip, but Ellie suddenly gets sick and passes away.

Suddenly, Carl finds himself being forced into a retirement home. However, he remembers his promise to Ellie to visit Paradise Falls. Before anyone can force him into the “home,” he turns his house into a makeshift airship using thousands of helium balloons. (You have to see that!)

Through the various adventures as the house is lifted off the ground and floats each day toward Paradise Falls, Carl finds himself coming to grips with his new life and the new people he meets along the way.

At one point he finds it difficult to press on and starts glancing through Ellie’s childhood scrapbook and is surprised to find that she had filled in the blank pages with photos of their marriage. On one final page, she wrote a note from her hospital bed, thanking him for the “adventure” and encourages Carl to have more. The house finally lands on the cliff beside Paradise Falls, enabling him to keep his promise to Ellie and move forward with his new life.

As we move forward into the new year, please remember to look “Up.” If you find yourself alone after the loss of a loved one or feeling alone in life due to personal circumstances, I would encourage you to be like Carl! Take a moment and think of your bucket list that you have shared with your loved one or that personal list you have tucked away. You can still dream and find a way to make things happen.

Reach out to others, make new friends, volunteer and take that trip you dreamed of. If money is tight, get that coin jar back out and start putting your change into it each day, week, month and year.

It may take time saving for your dream, but you will feel excited to make that dream a reality. Some dreams don’t cost a penny. Yes, perhaps your adventure will not be how you originally pictured it, but life is still worth living and dreams worth dreaming. Life is a gift. Get those balloons out and start dreaming today!

Written by DAVID JOHN COOK, public relations and funeral director for Spilsbury Mortuary.

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Resources

• Spilsbury Mortuary | Address: 110 S. Bluff St., St. George |  Telephone: 435-673-2454 | Website.
  • Hurricane location | Address: 25 N. 2000 West, Hurricane | Telephone: 435-635-2212.