Saying Good-bye

It’s hard to say, “Good-bye.”  Even when I know that it is the best thing for the person involved.  Last night, a dear, dear friend passed away shortly before 11:00.  She had been fighting lung problems for years, and was so tired.  I’m so glad that she is finally able to rest – and to breathe.  She will never hurt again, never have ugly side effects from drugs again, and never struggle to pull the necessary oxygen into her lungs.  She will never swell up from steroids, never labor to take a step, and never wish it would just all go away.

But there is a hole in my heart that just aches for her.  I miss her already.  I miss that I never had to be the “minister’s wife” with her.  She was down to earth.  She had a sense of humor that sometimes bordered on the bawdy, but that made me love her all the more.  She would do anything for anyone – as long as she was able.  And she loved the people in her life fiercely!

She would be the first one to tell you that she wasn’t perfect – and that she had no desire to be perfect!  She taught me how to tell if coffee was fresh when served at a restaurant.  She taught me to dip my salad into my dressing (instead of pouring it on) to consume less calories.  She painted ceramics with me.  And best of all – she had one room in her house that was completely dedicated to Christmas – and she kept it decorated all year long!  I loved to go sit in her Christmas room in July! 

But – now she walks with Jesus – no problems breathing – no swelling – no trouble walking!  I’m sure she will shake things up in heaven the way she always shook them up down here.  And even though I miss her, I would not want her to come back – because now she is totally and completely healed and will never be sick again.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”  (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, NIV)