With 30 minutes to official sunrise, I’ve been watching the moon make its journey across the sky for hours. Wide awake since 3a.m., with bright moonlight streaming through the window, I’m thinking of two people in these early morning hours. Last night brought word that my favorite Auntie Arlene, spoken of often in these pages, is spending the night in the local hospital. She’s 93 and I’m wondering what she’s thinking about and how she’s feeling in these predawn hours; it’s too early to call and the world just keeps on turning…
I’ve mentally run through my to-do list, with wedding prep and school prep on deck for the day. My excitement is building at the prospect of a joyful gathering in just ten days to celebrate with Meghan and Brian and the added bonus of having Erin Lee home – the three of us together – this mother’s heart is full.
Forty miles away, another mother is waking up, if she slept at all, on what would normally be a day of celebrating her daughter’s birthday. The world just keeps on turning, even though her daughter passed away last June at age 29 and this is the first birthday without her.
Watching the moon move past my window, I’m reminded that the moon wasn’t moving at all and that what appears to be happening is not real. There are laws of nature at work here and as King Solomon said long ago, there is a time for everything, time to weep or laugh and dance or mourn. The world just keeps on turning and what does that mean for us? Y’all have heard this before, but I believe we can never hear it too often. Cherish the special moments, create them, and hold those you love close to heart; let them know regularly and repeatedly that they are special to you.
I had dinner with Auntie Arlene Friday night – we shared a great fish fry and for the first time in her 93 years, she experienced the world of the Internet. Through the marvel of technology, I was able to take her online and we went shopping!! We laughed, she was amazed and I was so happy to share that time with her
The sun is up and it’s time for me to move away from this desk; I’ve already emailed my friend, acknowledging her daughter’s birthday and her loss. I’ll call the hospital shortly, get the trash up to the road and leave here in an hour to attend a Lent service nearby and hopefully share a smile with two nieces and a nephew. Then it’s back to work and a walk with the dogs later in what’s supposed to be a beautiful 74-degree day here,
Love and be loved and find comfort and hope in knowing that the world just keeps on turning because a loving Heavenly Father has everything under control!!
Blessings…