JOURNAL 45
12 October, 2015
Hello Again, My Love,
Well, today is significant in that it is 6 months since you “pitched your moving tent for the last time”! You have traded your earthly tent for an eternal house. Like you often said, “I won’t ever have to move again”!
I have told you in previous correspondence that there is much about that day of your departure of which I have no memory. I’m puzzled and feeling guilty about that loss of memory. But slowly our children are filling in the blanks for me. Their reaction to my concern is to tell me that they would be surprised had that not been the case. Anyway, I am slowly building a clearer picture of the events of hat day. As our kids give me more detail, I find myself saying, “Are you sure I was there? I would surely not have forgotten that detail.”!
I learned last night, for example, that you retained your sense of humour right to the end! And if you’re not sure what I mean, perhaps the word “pillow” will help!!
I’ve become aware that an increasing number of people have been asking me about our children, how they seem to be handling your absence from their lives and the lives of our 5 granddaughters.
As you know, each of them is so different from the other two (Thanks to their mother!) that no one answer fits all. I know that Keith has had a couple of “incidents” where he was surprised by his own emotional response. I have asked each of them how they are handling your absence and got what I would call a “delightfully vague response”.
What I can say concerning both children and grandchildren is that I detect nothing unhealthy as I try to monitor their “acceptance and adjustment” responses.
Six months! Six months of life without my life’s partner. I wonder sometimes how long this separation will last. Is the Lord’s Return Imminent? Or shall I come home through the valley like you did?
As I’m about to sign off, the song that’s playing at this very moment is
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour,
I know for sure all of my days are held in your hand
Crafted into your perfect plan,
SO GOOD!!But Until Then,
You remain the love of my life
Mike