Easter Thoughts

Allow me to write today some thoughts.  It is been my goal in this time to report the medical updates and this posting is not going to do that. Instead I wish to let some emotion flow on to the page.  It is my wish that in so doing we all can reflect on some things that help enrich the quality of our lives.  Seems like a good thing to do on this day.

Some years ago we had a very popular man from our church pass away quite suddenly.  I recall the pastor of our church started the funeral message this way.  "We would all give a lot right now to walk outside and see Marv with his hand resting on the hood of his car.  His smile, his demeanor, his faith, his personality and every thing else about him is something we mourn for today."  Instead of a message of sadness the pastor went on to bring a message of promise.  As I sat and listened I thought and reflected on this man's life, but I still thought it was a strange start.  As the years have gone by I have thought about that message. It has helped me understand that all of our emotions have an element of the desire to have things that are not to be, come back.   I came downstairs at 4 this morning and right now I am recalling the many years that Deb would rise at around 6 on Easter and prepare for our children, the traditional Easter basket.  Those of you that know her,  know it had to be a special day for her to rise at 6.  As I sit now and look at the fireplace let me yearn for the times when the Easter baskets were lined up on the mantel.  The first kid would come down and complain that the ears were gone on his chocolate bunny. I would make sure that my shirt did not have any of the chocolate remnants and explain that I had no idea of what had happened.  Later we would all get ready and go off to church.  In past times we would always have some sort of choir or musical responsibilities.  As I recall those days I encourage you on this day to let some of your memories come back to you.  Rather than have them be clouded with sadness I ask that they bring to you a brighter emotion. That is what I am letting happen right now. I suggest on this Easter that you let some of these type of positive feelings "resurrect".  I suggest if you do so, this will be a good Easter for you.

We have some friends that had a kid that was a good football player.  As we attended some of the games I can clearly recall his grandfather sitting in the stands.  As the years past I somehow came to the realization that there was nothing this kid could do to diminish the love and passion that this man had for his grandson.  Good performance or bad. The grandfather is gone now. But the memory I have of his devotion to his grandson is something I will not forget.  I encourage those of you who are parents and grandparents to pursue a similar passion and devotion to your offspring.  I believe that as you do so, it will have enhance the meaning of Easter. Let the passion you have for your family "resurrect" in your soul on this day.

I played golf several weeks ago with a local dentist. Most of my friends know that these recent times have  challenged us in a way that nobody would expect or want. This man had faced a large challenge some years previous and he told me something that helped me.  He told me that life brings times for all of us that we need to mourn for our future.  It is evident right now that this emotion has come to the forefront.  How I wish that I could take Deb home today and have life return to a normal condition.  She has always lived her life with a drive and passion that I think many of us do not have.  She wanted one of those trapeze things over her bed so she could start to pull herself up.  Mieke told me that she can only get one arm high enough to reach the thing.  Yesterday was tough because she did not make all that much progress in her journey to recovery.  Even with all the things that have taken place I sense that she will bring herself through this.  It is with this confidence that we experience this Easter day.  While it is true that we all have times that we "yearn for our past and mourn for our future," it is also true that the message of this day holds great promise.  In whatever course these events take us, I am quite sure that the promise of this day will not be lost for our family.  It is my hope that the same will be for you.

Thanks once again for your prayers and love.  When you see Deb, make sure you tell her that you do not think it was me who ate the ears off the bunnies. 

Stan