I realized again this week, that we will not be on this earth forever. I learned the importance of family; I realized how important my mom's 50th birthday party was for my siblings, for me and for our parents. I learned this week, again, that a life can end unexpectedly, suddenly, and over something that for the most part is small. On Sunday, my uncle died; he had pneumonia.
Uncle R was my dad's oldest brother. He married late in life; late enough that I remember. He waited a long time (at least to my memory) for my aunt B. When he married her, he had an "instant family" as she had two boys. I gained two cousins. I can't say that I got to know them very well. We moved around a lot and when we finally "settled down" for a few years, it was far far away from both extended families. But I have some specific memories of Uncle R. Memories I will cherish now more than ever.
My sadness is not for Uncle R. I believe he's in a better place; he's sharing some time with my son, whom he didn't get to meet here and with his mom! Instead, my sadness is for Aunt B and the boys. My sadness is for my dad and the other siblings. Besides a baby sibling that died in infancy, he is the first of them to leave this world. My sadness is deepened for them in that it feels that they just barely lost their mother very suddenly. Grandma died in 2005.
I learned, this week, that J and I really really need to use this time that he is off work to love on our kids, to build bridges and tie heartstrings. We need to grow those relationships. I learned this week that we have been given a great opportunity that not many get (or take) and we need to embrace it and run with it. And it is not just at this time either; it's all the time. Life is too short. Our children are growing so fast; and we are getting older too.
Proverbs 16:9 -
A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.
To those of you who loved Uncle R, who knew him better than I, to those who miss him oh so much, our prayers and our thoughts are with you this week and in the months to come. Words are not enough. J and I know that, more than some. I am so sorry for your loss and I wish I could take your pain away. (And then I second guess, was that the right thing to say???) We love you, and we loved him.
Striving to learn and live God's purposes,
1 comment:
My dear, what powerful and meaningful lessons to learn! Yes, we will not be on this earth forever. . .We're just passing through. Yes, life is too short. . .so we must make the use of every moment gifted from His Hands. May He give us eyes to see His gifts in every smile and every tear. May His grace be yours today.
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