6 months… Can you believe it?

6 months… Can you believe it?

For Dad, it was a full day of worship & celebrations…

But here? It was a tough day for many, myself included.

The calendar is a strange thing sometimes. And it was those strange things that made today, for me at least, difficult for a number of reasons.

Tuesdays are always tough days! (Full of mixed feelings, that’s for sure)

It’s the day God chose to take Dad home. A day I always eagerly looked forward to – because it brought a couple of hours that I spent with Dad at our Rotary luncheon. It was Visitation day - Many of us enjoyed energetic visits from Dad after Rotary. Visits that brought laughter, smiles, hugs & more!

The 17th (The actual date that Dad passed away)

I don’t know whether certain dates stand out on your calendar, but for me – when I flip the calendar from one month to the next, various dates catch my eye. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, whatever. If it’s December, it’s the 25th. February, it’s the 14th. July, it’s the 1st, the 4th, the 12th, the 28th… okay so you know what I mean.

Prior to October, the day that jumped out at me every month was the 16th (the day of Dad’s aneurysm). Then came October, and it was replaced by the 17th. Now, no matter what month it is… when the calendar is flipped I glance at that date. And this month… for the 6-month anniversary, for the first time since October - it came on today, the 17th.

My father, mentor & friend (Frequently over the 42 years that I’ve been in this world, he was the person I’d turn to on the most difficult days)

He could take the most negative situation and help us see the light at the end of the tunnel. A quick phone call; time shared over coffee; a burger ordered off the value meal at McDonalds. Seemingly insignificant events. But events that I realize now, that I enjoyed immensely. And now I miss even more.

I traveled up to Kent this afternoon to visit his final resting place. I found out something very important while I was there. It’s NOT actually his final resting place… he’s not even really there.

“Where is he then?”, you may ask. Maybe you attended the ceremony and left thinking that’s where he’d be later - but he’s not I tell you. Okay, I guess he is sort of there - in the physical sense, at least. But since when did Dad dwell more on anything physical instead of spiritual?

What’s there is a marble stone, eloquently engraved words and dates. And the physical shell that was left behind. The things I mentioned missing so much? None of those things are at Tahoma National Cemetery, section 26 – site 314. I was reminded (thanks, Dad) that the him I went to visit was in a much better place - without the constraints of a pine box and a 6’ deep whole in the ground.

It was great to be there. The first time I’d been since the day of the graveside service. I’m certain that I’ll go back again sometime. However, the best part was being reminded that if I want to be close to Dad – I can just as easily do it from the car at a stoplight. Or from my desk at work, or the Starbucks across the street. Even from the bedroom when Dina & I first wake or are nodding off to sleep.

I don’t need to go to Mt Sinai to talk to God.. I can do it wherever I happen to be when the need strikes. It may have took me 6 months, but I finally realized what I’ve always known. Dad can be with me all the time... I just have to carry memories of him with me!

I’ve got ‘em all packed & ready, Dad!
Johnny:)

Forever Remembered!

Forever Remembered...

Embraced by our love, linking our souls together.
In heartache we go on.

Carrying our memories inside our hearts...
as he soars in Heaven.

May he always be near & his spirit close by,
Encircling our lives... as we remember & cry.

Sharing his life & the love that he gave,
Now watching o'er us as we visit his grave.

Blessing us with his presence & remembering his touch,
It breaks our hearts daily -

As we miss him so much!!

Ethel M. Sandstrom ©2003

Trying to follow the right path in life?

Here's another e-mail received with a pretty great message.

God Bless...
John

New version of Footprints in the Sand

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.

But your prints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns. For much of the way it seems to go like this.

But gradually, your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends.

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: your footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints is the small 'sand print', safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change. The footprint inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger. Eventually it disappears altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.

Again, this goes on for a long time. But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back. And this time it seems even worse. Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints. You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream.

Now you speak. "Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you."

"That is correct."

"Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely."

"Very good. You have understood everything so far."

"Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours. I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming like you in every way."

"Precisely.""But this is my question. Lord... Was there a regression or something? The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first.

"The Lord smiles, then laughs. "You didn't know?"

He says. "That was when we danced."

By Mark Littleton© 1990

Mark Littleton is the author of several books, including "A Place To Stand", "What To Do When God Doesn't Follow Your Plan", "Tales Of The Neverending", and more.