Typically, I love roller coasters. I love the speed, the turns, and especially being taken around loops. This week though? It has been a roller coaster of emotions, and I am ready to get off this ride. It began with the end of the earthly life of a former student, took a turn with an incredible sermon on suffering by our fabulous pastor (which, you need to listen to once it's posted, just go here), went for a loop during a beautiful, yet heartbreaking memorial service, and has careened into all sorts of emotional twists and turns with our desire to move.
The memorial service has brought up so many other memories and moments and has made, in some ways, enduring my own child's temper tantrums harder. Each time I become impatient, I think of the way too many people I know who have had their children ushered into Heaven. I believe those parents would love to have just one more hug, one more kiss, hear one more tantrum. So, I find myself hugging my girl a little longer, showering her with kisses even more than before, and never wanting our playtimes to end.
This afternoon, as I met with my weekly prayer buddy, she received a call that her grandmother is being taken to hospice. Her grandmother is 93 (or about to be 93) and has alzheimer's. As my friend put it, "I haven't been able to have a conversation with her in 7 years, but that doesn't make it any easier." How true, how true.
Today is also my parent's 38th wedding anniversary (insert whistles and an assortment of party noises here). I wish we were there to throw them a party, to help them celebrate - after their celebratory dinner of course.
But, I believe it is time to unfasten the buckle of this coaster and step off. Time to step back and simply breathe, to listen to nature and watch her closely. See her beauty, absorb her sounds. It is time to unwind, and gain some footing.
And that is why, my friends, my prayer buddy and I will be heading out tomorrow night to hear some live music. Time away, and time to simply be. I believe it will be the perfect way to exit from this week.
1 comment:
Such rides is how we KNOW Christ more intimately. Great post!
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