After Dad’s death, we are still “sweeping up the heart and putting love away.” Wayne and Scott have spent a few days with Mom putting things in order financially, logistically. There is so much to do.

Mom says her hardest times are in the morning when she first awakes. She prays and cries and cries and prays. Then she is ready for the day. Of course, a stream of tears can come upon anyone of us suddenly, without warning. But there is a wonderful grace encasing Mom. I see her yielding into the wind, and the Holy Spirit comforting her, helping her.

Wayne and I got away yesterday. It was our first opportunity to be alone for some weeks. We went to the Turtle Creek area and North Dallas, walked around enjoying the Christmas decorations. We ate lunch in the area, saw a movie, ate supper, and saw another movie. Then we enjoyed the beautiful Christmas lights on the way home. 

This was amazing therapy for our souls. I enjoyed the movies we saw, especially “The Kite Runner.” It was poetically poignant, with an excellent story line.

I imagine we will be, as Emily Dickinson wrote below, “sweeping up the heart and putting love away” for some time.

But the small respite yesterday was very welcome. 

The Bustle in the House

The Bustle in a House
The Morning after Death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted upon Earth —

The Sweeping up the Heart
And putting Love away
We shall not want to use again
Until Eternity.