A warm sun filled the sky, and a gentle spring breeze blew through the budding branches of the neighborhood trees. It was a perfect day, no coat, just right for short sleeves and sunglasses. As he laid in his bed, his breathing was labored and he could not speak, but he could see this nature through the window, and he wondered, what would it be like. Not to have the sun in the sky, not to feel the wind on his face and in his hair. His wife was at his side, singing softly as she stared into his eyes, no words were spoken, but he felt her say "I love you" in her touch, and he answered her in the only way that he could, the squeeze of his hand. Since cancer had invaded his body, he had wondered about this time. At first, he trusted that God would heal his body. But Gods plan is not always our idea of the perfect design. His body had slowly been reduced to a shadow of its former self, but his love for her and for God had not diminished.
As the afternoon light grew dim in his eyes, he lost sight of his wife of many years. Although she never left his side - he felt alone, but more at peace than he had in some time. It took a few minutes for him to realize that the pain in his body was gone, but slowly he found himself imagining that he was walking through the most lush and green forest he had ever seen. Tall ferns grew everywhere, and he seemed to be on a grassy pathway that leads through the tall trees and wound further than he could see. He could smell the scent of something like pine, but not quite. After only a few moments he noticed what seemed to be a man sitting at a table alongside the pathway. The man was dressed in white, or at least he thought so. Bright, glowing light seemed to surround him. "Hello, and welcome," the man said as he approached. "I've been waiting for you," he said as he lifted his coffee mug and offered one to the newcomer. "I don't know how I got here," he said, but the man at the table interrupted, "you are exactly where you are supposed to be. Welcome" at this moment he recognized the man at the table, it was a dear friend of his that had passed away many years ago. A little surprised at how calm they both seemed to be he asked, "Am I dead?" "You aren't dead, you're healed," said the man at the table. "And you've made it to the next part of your journey. A most wonderful and exciting odyssey". Just then he noticed many others joining them in this peaceful and beautiful setting. People and family members that he hadn't seen in years. Loved ones that had passed on, they were all there gathering around him, one by one saying hello and giving him hugs of joy, and telling him how much they had missed him. As the crowd grew larger and larger, there was one man he knew that he should recognize, but couldn't place his face, or where he knew him from. "Who was that", he thought to himself. He seemed to know everyone there by name, and they all focused on him as he came forward. "Welcome, my faithful child," he said as he hugged him. "Jesus?" whispered the man as he collapsed into his arms. "Yes, welcome home. We've been praying for you to find peace in your illness. And now, you have it". "My wife!" The man said realizing he was not going to be waking up from this vision, and knowing that she would be heartbroken and alone... Jesus quieted his fears by reminding him, that they had learned to trust in God together, and that she was in good hands. "Thank you," he said as they began to talk and walk throughout the gathering. They hugged and began to visit among the crowd. They laughed together and told stories of their adventures as the family and friends continued to celebrate his arrival.
Her eyes filled with tears as she watched his last breath leave his body. His hand in hers, once strong and guiding, was now still and unmoving, expressionless. She lifted it to her lips and kissed him one final goodbye. For the next few minutes, she sat quietly. Crying, remembering, and praising God that they had never given up on their promise to love each other. Unseen to her right and to her left, there were two beings standing near her. They were shrouded in bright light, at least in they're realm. The angels were there, watching, comforting, and guarding her for him, in her time of grief, doing what he could no longer do. Sent by the master's command, they watched over her, wiped her tears, and gave her the blessing of a flood of memories that made her smile and laugh a little. She wondered what he was seeing. What it must be like. If he could see his family, his friends. What was heaven like? What a wonderful reunion he had talked about having when he got there.
A few days later, she laid his body to rest. Kind words were spoken to comfort the living and respect the absent. She smiled as she imagined him looking on from a distance, telling those with him how much he loved her. He was indeed there. And he was telling them just that, someday he would hug her in person again. She vowed, that she would look forward to that day when she would run into his arms again. The day that would be their reunion, and chance to praise God together, again. Until then
Randy
For Dad, Greg, and Johnny, I miss you all and look forward to our reunion.
4-24-2015
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