Saying Goodbye?

Carl, son of August and Hulda, left us for another place. Some of us call this place heaven--although we can't be sure as none of us have been there. At 99 years of age, he was eager to go and had been for some time. Although I have no desire for him to return to this place called Earth, I miss him. I see him walking amongst the heavenly cornfields, watching the animals graze green pastures and seeking heavenly opportunities. He was always a purposeful man.



When reading sympathy cards, I treasured certain phrases meant specifically for Carl--

 

 *I  really liked your dad! So kind, warm and friendly. His welcoming smile and humbleness made him many friends.

 

*It's hard to lose a parent, no matter how old you are. I've never known a more Christian gentleman than Carl.

 

* Your father was one of the most special people....

 *It was a pleasure to have known Carl and witness his deep Christian faith. He was a very special man.

 

 

Although Carl was a community and church leader, although he had earned the Bronze Medal and Silver Star in World War II, although he had donated time and money to various community and world-wide projects, none of this was important any more. The fact that he was kind, humble, and that he believed in God was.

 

I'm not going to say goodbye.

He's still with me because I am his child. Who he was and what he believed will always be a part of me.

 

Another sympathy card reads...

 

... with all the beauties of seasons past, look softly with the eyes of love and listen with your heart...your loved one will be there.

Thanks be to God.



3 a.m.

3 a.m.

God’s telling me to get up, get out of bed.

The breeze from my window tells me it’s cool; I like it....

I turn the thermostat up on the mattress cover and snuggle under.

 

3:30 a.m.

Surely not—even God has no reason for me to be up at this hour. I say a few prayers—for our children, grandchildren, my husband, others I love and think about so often, and the world.The world?  —how can I make a difference.

I punch play on the CD player and hope for the drifting, dreamy music the CD Lifescapes promises.

4:15 a.m.
I whip the covers back, do a few stretches, and head to the bathroom.

Slipping on work-out clothes, I set out the vacuum (to be done later in the day), assemble breakfast items (I’m a big breakfast eater), go through some mail while something nibbles at my mind. . . There’s more, there’s more.

5 a.m.
The patio chimes gently call. Come out. Come out.  I pull a jacket from the closet and slip outside. The air is crisp cool. Tree leaves dance in an early morning ritual, some of them bouncing down the street. I look up. Mr. Moon, a yellow banana hung in a still-night sky, is there just for me. Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Venus. I drink it in.

 Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...

..early morning? ... late night?  ... take time to give praise