Gone Home

Today, the mother of a good friend of mine went home to be with Jesus. I've never met her mother, but I'm grieving the loss all the same.

I have not lost anyone very close to me to this point. I still have all 4 of my grandparents, which I know is pretty rare. I dread the day when I do lose someone close to me as I've never walked through that particular valley before. I can count on one hand the number of funerals I have been to -- two of those were for people around my age (when I was 16 years old and again when I was 28).

I'm getting to that age when the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, cancers in the generation right above me is going to be much more prevalent as I hear of my friends' parents and probably my own, suffering from various afflictions. There will be much comforting and comfort received in the coming days.

One of my fervent desires is that I go home before my children do. I don't know how a parent endures that.

I'm happy for my friend's mother -- she is experiencing a comfort, joy & peace that she never knew here on earth. But I'm sad for who she has left behind, because I know she will be missed.