In a world obsessed with optimizing time, a wake reminds us that some moments can’t be measured in minutes. The real question isn’t “How long do I stay?” but “How fully did I show up?” You can be present for 15 minutes and leave a lasting impression of warmth, or you can linger for two hours and feel like a stranger. Grief—like life—rewards intention over duration.
So next time you’re standing in that line, card in hand, take a breath. Your presence is enough. Stay as long as it feels right, leave when it doesn’t, and carry the lesson with you: the most meaningful moments are often the shortest ones—if you give them your full attention. Now go be that kind of person, at every gathering, not just the solemn ones.
