March 31, 2018 at almost 2:00 in the morning, Ren’s mom called to tell us that Ren’s dad had passed from this life to the next.
Instantly the chorus of a song I learned long ago flooded my mind,…
Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven;
Of holding a hand and finding it God’s;
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial;
Of waking up in glory . . . and finding it home!
Home.
How can it be home when for 84 years Daddy Ray was here as a son and brother.
For 65 plus years he loved his precious wife, Barbara.
For 62 years he was father to two strong men, Rennie and Devin.
For 39 years a father in law to Becki and me.
For 35 years a grandfather to Dillon, Trapper, Caitlin, Brielle and Leisha.
For 11 and a half years a great grandfather to Kendi, Bridger, Parker, Quaid and Ellie Jo.
And for a host of years, he was the county agent, 4-H advisor, Riding Club leader, friend to many a young person.
Friend to a myriad of people.
The day I called my dad to tell him Ray was being moved to hospice, dad was silent for a long time, then said. “Kathy, Ray was my friend long before Rennie was yours.” Dad went on to share memories stemming back to 1966 when they first met working cattle for a friend.
How…when Daddy Ray spent all these years of making home here with us…
how…in a moment…can heaven be home?
In one sense I know that as our loved ones have gone on to heaven before us, our hearts have been drawn home. Our youngest daughter- sister – grand daughter ran on to heaven 11 and a half years ago. Our family had a very real sense that there was a boisterous reunion when Daddy Ray got there just like there was when we came to visit.
In a conversation with our family’s favorite Math teacher and friend, Mr. Beard spoke of the awareness that we are… Daddy Ray is… a created being.
God formed him in the womb and and he was”fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139)
And God gave Ray a design like no other
– though especially during this time with family we’ve noticed similarities galore in the sons and grandkids and even the great grandones.
But in the very center of Ray’s being God planted eternity in him – in all of us.
Ecclesiasties 3 says
“He has set eternity in the human heart”
e·ter·ni·ty
əˈtərnədē/
noun
1. infinite or unending time. “their love was sealed for eternity.
2. a state to which time has no application; timelessness.
3. THEOLOGY: endless life after death. “immortal souls destined for eternity”
Think of it.
That seed of eternity planted deep within us suddenly finds the conditions of heaven perfect for blooming. We immediately feel ‘at home”.
What a miracle to go from bedridden to standing tall and strong, to change from laborious breathing to complete freedom of breath, movement and voice.
I truly celebrate that thought today as it has taken on new meaning for us all.
Just think .…of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven;
Of holding a hand and finding it God’s;
Of breathing new air and finding it celestial;
Of waking up in glory . . .
and finding it home!