Thinking about Purgatory.

I've had two funerals in the past several days, and, while preparing for today's liturgy, I started thinking about Purgatory.
We tend to have a dark view of this belief - as if it's a sort of sad reality that we have to deal with as Catholics. Yes, our loved one may be in Purgatory, but we don't really want to talk about it. It may hurt someone, it may make someone sad.
But why should Purgatory make us sad? Don't we desire our family and friends to be the best people they can be? If someone is on an exercise plan, we want them to succeed. If someone is trying to quit smoking, we cheer them on.
In Purgatory, we are purified - made ready to stand face to face with our God. We are made ready for our ultimate destiny. How is that sad?
And more beautifully, we on Earth get to help our brothers and sisters in that process with our prayers.