Easter Sunday... Leave it to me to bring the morbid into play on the celebration of the most magnificent and glorious day in the history of the universe. Alas! I am more than capable! ( I did post the lighter side of Easter Sunday below this post).
Some of you know that this is what he had asked for "... under the middle pine tree... It'll be neat." I don't know, part of me thought that perhaps he chose to put his ashes there because he wanted assurance that I'd never sell the house... The other part of me thinks it more likely that he wanted his ashes being laid in a place that he loved, Pucci Land. It's so bizarre out there in "The Yard". His handy work is literally on every inch of the property, he's everywhere, but he's not here at all.
As I pondered the work of The Cross this past week, I thought again of the paralles... our earthly husbands, and our earthly fathers. The picture of Jesus, and our Father in Heaven represented in human form so we can understand and glorify Him through this very temporal, yet all important roll(s). I read the scripture above, and thought of how our friend Moira had emailed while Dad was in the hospital saying to cherish every moment with my Dad... to leave everything that was not absolutely necessary, and spend that time with him. This is what we all did. It brings me great comfort knowing that my father spent an entire month in the hospital, and was alone for less than a quarter of a day, the entire time.
Easter Last Year (2009)
It was hard, particularly on Mom and Jimmy who did the majority of the all nighters. Was it a "sacrifice"... not for us. I can't count the times that Dad, while barely able to talk, in unimaginable pain, would look at us and ask "What could be better than this?" We had him there with us... he had us there with him.
So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, "Good morning!" They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.
When I read this Scripture earlier in the week, I thought about my Dad's feet. The first night he was there in the hospital, Mary asked him if he wanted a foot rub. Of course he did. Mary rubbed one foot, I the other. Every time I or Mary, or both of us came to see Dad, we would rub his feet... he just loved it. I have longed to just sit and rub his feet, it was truly an honor. I thought of "The Two Mary's" mentioned above... seeing their risen Savior. The first thing they did was to take hold of his feet and worship Him. Of course they did!!! The most natural thing for those women who adored and honored their Lord, was to fall to the ground at His feet to worship Him!! I didn't worship, nor would I worship my Dad, but I tried to honor him (not in my teens... at all, but let's not think about that now =) ).
As I counseled the boys yesterday in their grief, I told them that what they were doing, cleaning up the trash from the street, picking up the sticks in the yard, keeping their outside toys away, cutting the grass... these are all things that were important to Pappy. By doing these things while he's gone, they're honoring him... honoring his memory. Pappy would be so proud! This thought put a huge smile on all of their faces, and they began to talk about other ways to honor Pappy's memory.
I thank Him for His word to me this past week... and still through my Father's death. Now I pray that my heart would be made so that the overflow would be a life that honors a Saviour worthy of ALL honor.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
