Last week I recieved news that my grandmother "The Matriarch" has had pancreatic cancer that has spread to her liver and stomach. Being the strong willed and strong minded woman that she is, she has decided not to endure chemo and radiation. So my Aunt and I hopped the first plane to Kansas to take care of her and her final wishes.

Let me tell you,she is a ball of fire, no pun intended. From the moment we arrived she has had us on our toes. She knows what she wants and how she wants it done (one of the character traits I admire most about her).

This week I have had the joy of watching her bring a smile to everyone's face that she comes in contact with. Her wit, determination and incredible uplifting attitude has moved and touched Family, Friends, Nurses, Doctors, Pharmisists, Local Sheriff's and of course myself.

I am choosing to share my personal heartache because just as my grandmother has moved and inspired me this week, I wish to do the same.

As I was waiting to get on my flight at LAX I purchased a magazine, as I usually do so I have something to read along the way. I put it in my backpack and got on my flight, the flight was full and I ended up in a middle seat, needless to say I didn't have the most comfortable flight and was not able to read my magazine.

I was sitting with my grandmother while she rested the other morning and remembered I had not read thru my magazine, so I pulled it out of my backpack and started to thumb thru it. I came across an article about a "powerful statement" that has moved and inspired others. As I read the article the message of the statement moved and inspired me as well. I realized that there must be some connection between the timing of reading the article and being with my grandmother.

I knew I wanted to share it with as many people as I could and the best way to do that was to post it on our web site.

The main message for me, is something that we deal with everyday in our industry.

I felt that it pertains to so many aspects of our daily life and how easy it is to forget what is and should be important to us as we take care of our day to day business.

The Statement Reads:

THIS IS YOUR LIFE. DO WHAT YOU LOVE, AND DO IT OFTEN. IF YOU DONT LIKE SOMETHING CHANGE IT. IF YOU DONT LIKE YOUR JOB, QUIT. IF YOU DONT HAVE ENOUGH TIME, STOP WATCHING TV. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE, STOP; THEY WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU START DOING THINGS YOU LOVE. STOP OVER ANALYZING, LIFE IS SIMPLE. ALL EMOTIONS ARE BEAUTIFUL. WHEN YOU EAT ENJOY EVERY LAST BITE. OPEN YOUR MIND, ARMS AND HEART TO NEW THINGS AND PEOPLE, WE ARE UNITED IN OUR DIFFERENCES. ASK THE NEXT PERSON YOU SEE WHAT THEIR PASSION IS, AND SHARE YOUR INSPIRING DREAM WITH THEM. TRAVEL OFTEN; GETTING LOST WILL HELP YOU FIND YOURSELF. SOME OPPORTUNITIES ONLY COME ONCE, SEIZE THEM. LIFE IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET, AND THE THINGS YOU CREATE WITH THEM SO GO OUT AND START CREATING. LIVE YOUR DREAM AND SHARE YOUR PASSION. LIFE IS SHORT.

This statement moved and inspired me, I hope that it moves and inspires you.

MIKE BURWELL

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-American Crematory Team