in the current issue of time magazine, nancy gibbs writes a moving essay on the sixth anniversary of her father’s death called “the light of death.” she makes some pretty insightful obeservations:
“the hogwarts ghosts have a tradition i think worth borrowing. they celebrate their deathday, a party marking the date they quit this mortal coil. if a child’s birthday leans forward–first steps, a bike, a license, the vote–a deathday looks back at a life well lived and, for the lucky, well ended.”
a powerful sentiment and thought-provoking notion. gibbs goes on to convey the lessons she learned in the process of her father’s death and her own grief. i once again caught a glimpse of that special earth relationship we call “daddy.” i am the father of one son, and never got the opportunity to be “daddy.” to me, it seems that endearing moniker only works when it comes out of the mouth of a little girl (but then it really works!). i was “dad.” “dad” maintains an aloofness that i regret, but seemed necessary at the time. my son and daughter-in-law are expecting a baby girl in a few months. my son will be “daddy” but, alas, i’ll be something else (daddy-once-removed?) and i’ll be left with my longing. i am told that grandparenthood is the most fulfilling station in life. good. i can’t wait. but it’s not “daddy.”
gibbs make another intriguing comment that i took to myself. she writes:
“there are those–soldiers and nurses, poets and priests–for whom death is a sure companion.”
she is obviously referring to those who are continually surrounded by the specter of death. i like to think, though, that those of us who are growing in jesus embrace death as “a sure companion.” to us, death represents release from captivity, fulfillment of the kingdom, and the opportunity to be, once and for all, in the presence of jesus. not a thing to be feared or avoided, but simply the next step in the process of being perfected. death is only ominous to the lovers of this life…worshipers of gimcrack (a cool word i learned from mark buchanan that also happens to be the dictionary.com “word of the day”). this life is good, even great at times. but best? that requires death.
in that awesome moment when i first look into the eyes of jesus, i think i will be overwhelmed with a specific emotion that can only be properly described with one word: “daddy.”
Filed under: christianity, church, religion, spiritual
If alcoholism is a disease than my disease would be politics…. sick uhh?!?!? I watch, read, and listen to the news constantly. I watch time march on in the news to not the end but the end as the world knows it… really a new begining. I’ve looked at Acts like the story of the Church. I noticed once the book of Acts has no ending or conclusion like all the other books. It just stops… or does it? The news (to me) is like I’m watching the conclusion of the book of Acts. With all this news/knowledge I find myself torn to do what’s good and right politicaly speaking in daily life (which seemingly slows the coming of the Lord) and then as commanded pray for the peace of Israel which seems to be counter productive and at odds with each other . I’m left feeling guilty at times about the day I get to see Jesus as if I’m neglecting the lost to be left behind. Don’t get me wrong I’m excited of that day but—
I have this friend at work I’ve talked to Web about some. He’s a “christian” in the Roman Catholic Church. Nice guy. He has an on-line / over the phone girlfriend he won’t give up. This has been going on almost a full year now. This week he’s been served divorce papers and it was premeditated by his wife as she’s been slooooowly drainng and hiding investments, savings, and checking accounts for over two years. Hundreds of thousands of dollars. This all over a full year before the girlfriend started. It is turning out to be the nightmare divorce you always hear about but never knew the guy personally. I feel as if I’ve been screaming at him through a Biblical bull horn “look out” for a year now. He starts to come around then nothing???
He ’s one of several nightmare marital situations I personaly know of not to mention other people and issues. It has left me tired – emotionally drained and ready for that day. Also it has left me reluctant for it to come. I see political signs, enviroment signs, and the heart of those caught in the world and proves (to me any way) time is marching on and our 7 day clock is out of winds.
Your blog stirred me up. Sorry had to vent so I could take the duct tape off from around my head before I go to bed!
I thought for a minute my head was going to pop.