The Reunion

            I never put much stock in the number that is my age. Hitting 30 and even 40 never concerned me too awful much.  After all, you only become a day older than you were the day before your birthday.  Your age is just a number and cannot measure the life you live.  However, death is a different story!  Two losses in the last week have hit me pretty hard.  This has left me pondering, as those numbers keep adding up, the age of those around me are also adding up.  Unfortunately with every passing second comes the chance meeting with death, for all ages.  Acceptance of age is one thing.  Acceptance of death, a whole different thing!

          With death comes sorrow and all the thoughts of the should haves and would haves.  I can honestly say that the only regret I have with the recent loss in our family is that I wish we had more time to visit.  I feel very blessed with what time we did have.  Very blessed that my Uncle Fritz was able to visit this past summer with Aunt Becky for our Miller Family Reunion.  I will treasure the time they spent here!  The memories are forever and bring some contentment at this time!  These memories of Uncle Fritz will mean everything with each passing day!  The heartbreak is never easy and it is always helpful to have the support of family friends while grieving. 

           As prayers & condolences flooded FaceBook after Uncle Fritz's passing on Friday night, there were many words that brought peace.  Unfortunately, no words could take away the sorrow.  When my Uncle Jim posted yesterday, there was a barrage of condolences on his status, but one in particular stopped my flood of tears and actually brought a smile to my face.  One comment that made me stop and rethink death all together!  I don't know this person, but credit is due to Dinah Torres-Quinones (a friend of Uncle Jim's) for the following words she wrote: 

"I have prayed for your brother and his family and am so sorry to hear that he has passed. I pray now that you will all find comfort in your wonderful memories and in a truth I hold on to daily after my father passed, Fritz is not in your past but instead he has transitioned into your future! What a glorious reunion in heaven to look forward to. May your family be surrounded by the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit and in time that your mourning be turned to joy."  

What an incredible, faithful thought!  We all say when someone dies "Some day we will see them in Heaven", but how many of us look forward to it?  We anticipate life events like a graduation, marriage, family get togethers or the birth of a baby.  How many of us anticipate the reunion in heaven?  Why not?  

          Ultimately, our faith is suppose to prepare us for the journey to our death.  This life was never the true goal that God set for us.  Our earthly life is to live faithfully, to learn and give of ourselves for the benefit of others.  To HELP those less fortunate.  We are here as preparation for eternal life in Heaven.  This life tests us on a constant basis and when God calls us, we go!  So now, as Dinah said, we have a reunion to look forward to, with Uncle Fritz and so many others that God has called along the way!  

(As it turns out, Dinah shares her words of wisdom in a blog.  Check it out here:
http://dinahsdailydose.wordpress.com/)

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)