Today I attended a memorial service for a childhood friend of mine, and afterwards we went to his family's house to see people and have snacks and whatnot. I ran into one of our old "neighbors" (I say it like so because in rural Barnum, neighbors can live up to 5, 10 miles away) and her children that I hadn't seen in a few years. Children change so fast! How does something whose only noises used to be gurgling sounds made by the slobber rolling down its chin learn to say real words and steal food off people's plates? It's ridiculous. Said child was charming her way in and out of the crowds flashing her petite little smile (I don't know if it's appropriate to use that adjective/noun combination), which some innocent bystander must have been distracted by for just long enough for her to swipe a cheese stick off his or her plate.
Which, by itself, still seems charming. One thing I've learned with little kids though is to never underestimate them, because charming turns into cunning reeeaaalll quick. After realizing she didn't actually want to eat the cheese stick, she knew she had to find some other, more entertaining use for it. After being cajoled and encouraged by many of the adults to use it as a weapon on any one of the other kids or to "give it to _____ as a present!", she finally managed to deposit on someone else's plate before they knew what was happening and before they could catch her fleeing the scene. I only know that because that plate happened to be my brother's and four of us were having a nice conversation as old friends when he looked down to find a squished, gnawed-on, slightly slobbery hunk of string cheese on his plate, with no little girl in sight.
Well played, little girl. Well played.
Maybe this was one of those moments where you had to be there. Regardless, my point is that it doesn't take an epic practical joke or Will Ferrell movie line to have a good laugh.
Earlier this week I lost a friend, but today I got to celebrate in the strength and the joy he left behind, the beauty he experienced in his lifetime, and the knowledge that he left us knowing he was going to be with the One who can love him more than anyone in this world can. Even when faced with the heartache of missing him, I realized that there is joy in knowing that regardless of time and distance's conspiracy to separate us and those we care about, some things don't change. Some people remain in your love forever. But heap your love on the ones life hasn't separated you from yet, because you don't know when it will happen.
Today, the leaves were all shades of warm colors, the air was invigoratingly fresh, the fog was gently rising from the fields, and the setting sun was shedding its radiant light on everything as far as the eye could see. I couldn't have asked for a better way to say "Until later!"
Love and laugh always,
Manders
Who knows, maybe Jesus pulled your friend aside from all the wonder and awe, pointed his finger down, and showed him what you wrote about how he brought his friends and family together, and how even through a tragedy your friend was able to inspire you in love and friendship. What you wrote is truly beautiful, and he would have loved it.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up :)