tenderly remove morning’s frost from spring petals, some still mourn winter During the lifetime of Jesus, the Jews had a unique custom pertaining to the temple in Jerusalem. When entering, the people had to walk in only one direction. They moved up the stairs, through the outer courts, inner sanctuary, and down the stairs to exit, all in the same…
Tag: Death and Dying
Something Irrevocable
Since my father-in-law passed away before Christmas, I have been on a journey of embracing the reality of his death, walking through the process of grief, and praying for acceptance and healing on the otherside. Here are a three thoughts on grief.
Mr. Sick
Before I lived abroad, before I had a daughter, before I was a pastor’s wife, before I was married, before I lived on a kibbutz in Israel, I worked as a nurse–for many years–in Colorado and then Texas. I graduated from Porter Memorial Hospital in Denver, so many years ago I don’t care to remember…
Fading Fingerprints
In my recent post, “The Last Gift,” I wrote about the last present that Dad gave me on Thanksgiving Day. It was practical, a plastic toothpick holder filled with toothpicks. This morning the thought occurred to me that Dad’s fingerprints, literally, are still on that gift. If I had the powder that the police use…
I Love Being Home
A shadow fell across our lives this year with the unexpected death of Wayne’s dad just before Christmas. The days have been bittersweet, remembering Papa and dealing with his absence. He was such a strong, quiet man. His influence steadied each of us. Now we are leaning into each other more, leaning into God more. …
Profound Sadness
The days are passing quickly since we buried Dad. There has been much to do with the season, with work, with keeping the house going. Our daughter leaves for Cyprus in less than a week. She is in a bustle preparing for six months abroad. I have been awake since 4 AM, sitting in…
Still Sweeping
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…
Burn Rubber!
Yesterday was the funeral. It was a sweet memorial to a wonderful life. We ended the day in Bartlett, Texas, with a graveside service, and we lingered while they put the casket into the vault, sealed it, and lowered it in the earth. We stood around as a family and watched them lower Dad into…
haiku: no sting in death
I have been awake since 3 AM–way too early to arise. But arise I did, reluctantly. I need more sleep for the very long day we will have today. There will be physical and emotional strain in saying good-bye, in seeing many people, in the journey to Bartlett and back. I need more sleep……
Stopping for Death
The American culture shines in crisis–think about the firemen laying their lives down for hundreds and hundreds in the Twin Towers in NYC at 9/11. Think about the effort that has been expended in saving the one child who has slipped into a well–the hours of strategy and effort for the rescue of one precious life. We shine at the time of…
Bonnie Saul Wilks 