YESTERDAY

After writing yesterday’s blog, I received more responses than I ever have. It shows what the concept of death does to us. I thank everyone who sent me a note, as it helps me grow in my own spirituality.
Yes, we all know that death is part of life, and we understand how we will spend eternity with God. Yet, it does not undermine that we all hate to see a life end. My 94 year old mother is having a hard time, knowing the number of years ahead of her are limited. A dear cousin of mine said for me not to take how she reacts personally to current events. She is angry knowing the years ahead of her are few. I appreciate this note of wisdom. What a thought, to comprehend that there cannot be that many years left when one reaches her age.
My great aunt lived to be 106. She continues to be an inspiration to me, showing how a strong will, with her mentality intact, can have a long life. But, the quality of her life had ended; she could only talk, in a quiet voice, stretched out on the couch. Before, she was a vibrant woman. She was out milking the cows, canning food, and making a huge dinner in the middle of the day for her sons, who came in from the workings of the ranch to get a good meal, before they went out to work until sunset. She taught me how to make taffy, at the age of 16. I remember how my cousin, at the same age, went over to answer the phone, in the middle of the taffy making process. The ingredients had him holding one hand out, with the substance ready to go through a ‘twisting.’ He couldn’t do it, since he was on the phone. Great Aunt Mary ran across the kitchen, to fold over this dripping mess in his hands. She didn’t say a word; of course, she did let out a little sound of exasperation, but she never uttered a word of frustration.
I still have a photo of Great Aunt Mary on my refrigerator door. She is such an image of inspiration. The family recognized her as a blood relative, rather than marrying into the family. All of us saw her as reminding ourselves that this is what family is all about. She never complained. She instead took on the role of wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend.
Though she has moved on to her eternal life, she is an example of what life is like now, and how it will be when we leave this world. No, none of us wish to leave those we love. We want to see them be in our lives forever. But, they will be in our eternal lives. We are sad they cannot be with us, as we witness celebrations and hallmarks in our lives. But, though we cannot hug them as we go through these special times, they are witnessing from above. Later in life, we will get to touch them and hold them in our lives once again. It is something hard to perceive right now in our current lives, but it will truly happen. God never disappoints us.
Stay in constant prayer with God. Never forget to talk to those who have gone before us. All of them can read our thoughts; it is part of the joy of being in Heaven. It is those heavenly creatures who bestow upon us little happenings, making our lives be a bit less hectic or a bit less painful. I remember the morning of the day I was to have a spinal tap. My father had passed away, but paid me a visit that morning, in a vision. I saw features on him that I forgotten, such as the gold tooth when he smiled. He told me not to worry, that he would be with me throughout the tap. Knowing this, I smiled throughout this procedure, as he was with me. What a difference it made. Imagine how horrific it had been if I didn’t know he was there the whole time!
Not everyone gets to have a vision; but it doesn’t mean the loved one is not there. Yes, through every incident, whether it is happy or sad, our loved ones are there, to cheer us on. This is what God wants, to have those special angels, alongside our guardian angels, to protect us. God has stated we are never alone, and He means it. Always, there is the presence of those who have passed on. Remember, they have passed on from this life, but they are continuing to live, under the glorious kingdom of God!