Thursday, November 17, 2016

Packing

How do  you pack for a funeral and a celebration?

I'm filled with tears, knowing that a man who has been so inspirational in our lives, is moving on.
On to his real home but leaving us!

He's 90.  And he's ready.  But we're not.

I'm not.

I haven't learned everything yet.
Just one more visit, one more memory, one more Bible study, one more time around their table.

But time is a funny thing and life is fragile and we can't keep it forever.

He's the most content man I know.  And his wife loves him beyond measure.

They are 90.  And he is homeward bound.

They have showed me, in their everyday lives, what extra ordinary means.

What living in grace and acceptance, and family and community means.
What living with honor, and giving, and sharing looks like.

In ordinary life.

University life, military life, working NYC life, church life,  retirement life.

I hope I get to tell you one more time that I love you.
And you are so important to my life, my family's life.
 And that you have lived up to the gospel you taught and loved.
 And you taught many through your whole life,
not with words so much,
but with your life.
Bravery, honor, courage of convictions, love, and acceptance
And peace
and our Savior
and thanksgiving for the life that was given him
and the people that surrounded him
and the Savior that gave himself for him
and the hope that enabled him
and the direction he focused on
Heaven