Last Saturday, we placed our Dad in what will be his last home. It was all things hard, all things right, and all things Life mixed into a jumble of wearied emotions and ‘next thing’ challenges. SO thankful to a God who loves us and ushers us gently through new thresholds – especially when their the hard ones.
We said goodbye over coffee
and haunting silence
covered by the traffic going by
We created our ruse, and collected our thirty coins and left you
wondering
and wandering
in the hallways of your own mind
lost
And we were lost too
between right and wrong and choices that seemed so harsh and hard and right
tumbling together confused as we waded through the maze of truth and lies and made-up stories created to make you believe, to make us believe
that Life might bring us hope again – somehow
So we took the long steps across the parking lot, up the curb and down the walk and we pushed past the Doubts and Darkness that mocked our every step.
We were bringing you to the “Old Folks Home” The dread idea used to set you off on a tirade when your mind had been whole, “If you ever have to take me to an old folks home, dagnabbit, just shoot me. I’d rather be dead.”
And yet here we were,
and here you were
and here
right around the corner, much to our weary surprise, we found Life
waiting patiently
holding the door
arms opened wide,
“Welcome home, Willie, come on in.”
Then nodding with a smile, He looked our way, and spoke to us too,
“It’s a been a long hard journey, you two… You did good. I’ll take it from here.”
And just like that – with our hand in His, and our hearts snuggled in His care –
Life walked the three of us through the door.
In Plainjane View 
You are amazing lady, so happy to know you. I know your heart is torn, but God does heal us. Bless you and your family(2 real good lookin guys).
… oh Patty, so sweet. And yes, it’s torn, but it’s a good tear ’cause the Lord IS so faithful and gentle with matters of the heart… and it was time for all of us.
Gosh, sis and Chris, what sweet sorrow—relief and grieft–all mixed together as the three of you, Willie, you, and Chris each walked through the doors to ‘the rest of your lives’ that the Lord had set out for you to walk through, hand in hand with Him….
… definitely has been a bittersweet, richly emptying time of life.
This is not an easy time for you and your family and I pray that our Pappa God will wrap you all in His loving embrace of comfort. I know that writing is such a therapeutic way to deal with grief and sorrow. All my love and prayers for you and your loved ones!
Blessings XX
Mia
Thanks Mia, … yes it’s been tough, but you’re right: God is faithful to wrap us up in his comfort.
Hard, hard days. Yet I sense here, through your words, how you’re being comforted, too. So glad you’ve joined us at #TellHisStory
Wondering how it all is now… the edges softened with Autumn……?
…softened with Autumn. Yes. That explains it perfectly.
Oh Jane such bitter sweet memories so beautifully framed with your gifted words..How blessed I am that this current ” nursing home/rehab” experience is a temporary one…for now for now in this still “young” ? Time in our lives…Jim will be coming home Friday and new doctor visits and tests begin till hopefully life and health find a re newed balance point ..Its all good God has us in the palm of His hand…like a sparrow…There just happens to be in this place… a large and lovely glass aviary with sparrows and eggs in a nest (-;