Dear Dad,

Matthew 4:16(NIV)

he people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."

Dad,

I've been thinking about you tonight.  Your son-in-law and I celebrated another anniversary.   I've been remembering how we stood arm in arm at the end of the church aisle, me in my wedding gown, and you poised to walk your last daughter down the aisle.   You looked at me and said, "You know it's not too late to back out of this."   My jaw dropped open under my bridal veil, then the organ music played, and off we went!   Even though there have been times when I wished I'd taken you up on it, there is so much I wouldn't change for anything.  The product of our union, the young man who lives in our house and doesn't want to be blogged about, has just been talking my ear off about the things so important to him.   There were so many times I did that to you!  I thought education made me so smart, when it was so little compared to the knowledge you gained serving in World War II.   He enjoys so much what he's learning and the heady power of knowledge!   Today he finished a macro economics paper and wryly commented that he could now solve the country's economic crisis.   What is macro economics anyway?   
Well, economics isn't a worry for you now.   You don't have to run around Heaven turning off lights to save a little money, or remind people to close doors behind them, because they weren't born in a barn.   That would be sort of funny if you did, though, because the King of Heaven, the Light of the World was born in a barn!   
Your bride is doing well, still living a life of obedience to the Savior.   This song reminds me of growing up with you and Mom, who taught me to appreciate songs by Perry Como.  This version of "Catch A Falling Star" is by Neal and Leandra from their "A Dreamer's Holiday: A Tribute to Perry Como" album.

Heading Home

So often the way to Heaven is pictured with stairs, and I want to groan and ask God, "Stairs?   Does it have to be stairs?   With my knees, why stairs?"  Some years ago a job required me to climb stairs past the point of reason causing a meniscus tear.  My knees haven't been the same since.  So I dream instead of ascending to Heaven a bit like Jesus but with less fanfare, of course, because it will just be me.    Then again, maybe I could have an angel or two to take me there.   That would be nice.   I forget that the moment I am loosed from this flesh and earthly bonds, I will be free of these knees and other ills, and in the Presence of my Jesus who suffered so much for me.   It must have been glorious for Him when he was freed from his flesh to return to his throne in Heaven.   That the Son of God would leave Heaven and become Man, knowing full well why He did so, tells me of His great love.   Thank you, Jesus.  I love You.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV)
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord

Absent From Flesh (Featuring Jamie Barnes) - Sojourn