This photograph includes: Back row: Aunt Faye (Pappa's youngest sister); me; Uncle Garland (Aunt Dene's husband); Aunt Dene (Papa's sister -Front Row: Carol (my sister); Papa, Mama Terri and PeppyWhat a great day that was! Carol was visiting from Kansas, I had come in from Texas. Papa was more than thrilled to have both his girls there at one time.
Papa and Uncle Garland were the best fishing buddies ever!!! Papa and Mama Terri had a camp directly across the street from Aunt Dene and Uncle Garland. There is no telling how many fishing trips these two men made before Papa died. Papa died on Uncle Garland's birthday.
Uncle Garland has long suffered from Parkinson's disease and this year passed away from lung cancer. Uncle Garland died the night before Papa's birthday.
What gave me more comfort than I can explain is that these fishing buddies were reunited. During my prayer time, I saw my Papa welcoming Uncle Garland and Papa had his arm around Uncle Garland and they were laughing about some fishing experience they had once had together. Then I saw Jesus walk up behind them and stepped in with his arms on their shoulders and said, "If you think that was a great fish story, wait until you hear this one!" They all laughed and walked away together - arm and arm.
As children of the Most High God, we can trust that those of our family and friends who have gone on ahead of us are waiting for us to join them. They are no long in pain, no more suffering. Cancer, leukemia, Parkinson's disease have lost their hold on them!!! They are whole and perfect and most of all, happier than we could believe possible.
For those of us who are on this side of Heaven, take heart! God is with us! His love and comfort give us strength as we go through the motions of this life until one day, He calls us by Name - for we are His and takes us to Heaven. What a day that will be!
It seems the older I get, the better Heaven looks. Not to say that my life is not filled with joys and happiness - because it is that and more! What I am saying is that my spirit longs for its eternal home and maybe, just today as I looked at that picture, I found myself homesick and missing friends and family who are no longer on this side of Heaven.
