Our Stories
Life
By Aaron Soderlund | posted 08/07/2008
"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
This was written a couple weeks ago as I realized that it was just a day that needed to be written about...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Life... seems to be the common theme to my day today.
My day started out by hearing that some dear friends of ours lost their unborn baby at 10 weeks into the pregnancy. A little later in the afternoon, my sister called me to tell me that if I wanted to see my 95-year-old grandma again while she could still talk, I should get over to her house pretty quick. So I headed off to my grandma's house that evening and spent time with her recalling memories and doing my best to make her laugh a little as she lay in her bed, not expecting to live through the night. Then when I got home, I received an email that my second cousin passed away the day before at 30-something years old after fighting for almost a year with illnesses, and spending every day in the hospital since January.
And in the middle of all of this... some of my other best friends were on their way to the hospital to give birth to a little baby girl that should hopefully be here by the time I wake up in the morning. I'm waiting for the text message with the good news!
It's so odd to have come from an evening of saying a final goodbye to the anticipation of a first hello. From re-living some memories with my grandma to anticipating the memories of this little girl will marry one of our sons (why not arrange it now, right?).
Life comes and life goes. It's inevitable right? But it’s just so stinking hard to say goodbye. I take my life for granted. I take other's lives for granted. I don't regret not spending enough time with my grandma or anything. In fact, I'm just glad that she was able to move back home and get to experience my children, two of her four great-grandchildren.
Beth and I, Nathan and Josh all spent dinner together last Sunday with her. It was a pretty fun thing to be able to watch her watching her little boys. Nathan playing with his toy cars, giving his GG a big hug and kiss before we went home. Her attempting to hold Josh and then just watching him on the floor. Beth and I getting to just spend time together with her. It was a pretty cool evening that we got to have with just our family. It was a nice goodbye for 'us' - knowing that they would probably never see her again.
Luckily, I also had tonight, which was a great night for me to get to spend a little more time with the woman that always willingly took care of me, spoiled me, made me grilled cheese and Top Ramon, played the organ for me before bed when I'd spend the night at her house, and many other memories.
So tonight, my grandma eagerly awaits her arrival in heaven. To meet her Savior. To be with her two, yes two, husbands. Tonight, my second cousin is already there. My friends' unborn baby is already there. And tomorrow... I meet our other friends' new little girl.
What a day... Life...
My grandma has since gone. My friend’s baby arrived perfectly healthy that next morning. And we celebrated it all. It’s amazing to get to celebrate in someone’s death, knowing that they are all off to be with Jesus. The next chapter in an eternal life that started when they decided to follow Jesus. It’s pretty cool to get to celebrate life. So let’s celebrate it.
To respond to this message, email Aaron at aaron@windermere.com.
