And this will be our first without Dad. Yes, there will be some sadness, wistful remembrances of holidays past, mingled with some laughs and many fond memories, but we need not give in to despair or hopeless grief. That's the blessing of being "in the Lord" now.
Last year's holidays are firmly etched in my mind because as we approached them I sensed that 2017 would be our last ones shared with Dad in this world. He was slowly declining in almost every functional way. He did well last Thanksgiving and enjoyed a big meal that day, but I was frequently linking arm-in-arm to steady him whenever we went out in public.
December's decline was obvious, and I began to suggest to people that if they wanted to visit Dad while he was alert and able to recognize them that now was the time. His long dormant hernia was becoming a problem, which led to his early departure from the Chapel on Christmas Eve. He was never able to attend again. Dad enjoyed Christmas Day, ate well, received family, and opened gifts. The week leading up to the New Year was uneventful, and Dad adjusted well to his new hospice nurse. Then, New Year's Day 2018 came, and Dad began the homegoing process. He got up, and we did all of our usual routines, except this day was different from all others as Dad slept alot, and thus began the final week which I have previously described.
I was astonished at how quickly the Lord decided to take him home, and I'm still amazed at the speed of it all. Primarily because, when Dad passed, there was nothing significantly wrong with his physical body. He was not ill. He was just tired. He went to sleep. And he slept his way home.
The holidays will be good, because the Lord is good. It's important to be reminded that food, gifts, events, and people do not make the holidays special. The Lord does! Believers in and followers of Christ never say a final goodbye. Our separation from Dad and other believing loved ones is temporary and brief. Life is a vapor, which reminds me that I'm on deck. So, when You are ready, Lord, bring it on!
Happy Thanksgiving!
