It's been a month since my dad passed into his heavenly home, into the Father's House. Covid-19 was just beginning, and mostly just the family was able to gather with us. I was caught off-guard at how the lack of personal contact with friends and church family would affect me. But since guidelines and recommendations were just beginning, we did have a few who ventured out, and their hugs meant more than I could say.So very much has happened in these four short weeks, or long weeks as they've become with stay-at-home orders. As my mother has said, "Dad died just in time." By that she means that at the age of 93 and in his condition, that Dad didn't have to go through the worry and concern of contracting the coronavirus, as many across our land and around the globe have, that we didn't have to be concerned about trips to the doctor or more emergency visits to the hospital. Yet, at 89 herself, there is much caution on her own part.
I have a longtime friend several years younger than I who died last week. Cancer brought her end here on earth, and she, too, went safely into the Father's House. It's difficult for 20 young grandchildren, though, to say goodbye to their grandmother. And it's difficult for their parents to explain to them mortality.
Yet, as C.S. Lewis has said, we've never met a mere mortal. For life goes on beyond the vapor of life here on earth. Those of us who have lived long know this life is mere vapor. So quickly gone. Yet, for those who realize early-on that this is so are more aware of redeeming the time as we're living it.
This is certainly a time when the majority of people are considering death. (Although there appear to be many who feel invincible.) As somber as it may seem, this is a good thing to consider. Our afterlife hinges on what we think comes after our journey here on planet earth.
Dad went peacefully, full of years, full of confidence of where he would awaken. And so did Naomi. They are now free from any of the concerns that we may fall asleep with tonight or awaken with tomorrow morning. They have arrived safely in the Father's House where He has prepared a place for them. Healed.
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