I awakened early with a sense of calm. The thought came to me that in the still of the night that all is well. So, why was I awake at 3:30 in the morning? Perhaps it was simply to have ample time to be lost in a sense of gratitude.
This morning at my niece's invitation, I am going with her to meet her pastor and to look at the church where her father's celebration of life service is to take place. It was an act of thoughtfulness on her part to extend me that courtesy. I actually look forward to meeting her pastor and thanking him for his support.
Sometimes when I awaken in the early hours of the morning, I either attempt to fall back to sleep or I give way to some level of anxiety that weighs heavily on my mind. This morning, I did neither.
I don't take for granted that participating in a celebration of life service 51 years after incurring a loss is anything other than a gift. It will forever be etched in my memory as a Christmas miracle.
Scripture reminds us that there is "joy in the morning." It was the psalmist who wrote:
"For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.[a]
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning." [Psalms 30:5 ESV]
I visited with my younger brother by telephone last night. He, too, feels joyfully privileged that we have this opportunity.
This morning, Karen Peterson, a friend of Ron's from Texas A&M responded to one of my recent postings by insightfully writing: "I keep thanking God for this very special time for you and your family. Christmas 2023 has many different meanings to it. I just feel that all of your have some inner peace and tranquility you were not sure you would ever feel again. Thank you, God. Amen, Amen.
I now have the privilege of knowing Karen as a friend. The same is true of her sister, Anne Boykin. Many of Ronnie's friends from Texas A & M and from the U.S. Marine Corps have reached out to me with the gift of friendship through the years. My life has been greatly enriched from those friendships and the memories shared provided me information about Ronnie that I never would have known.
I can say with the Psalmist, Joy comes with the morning.
All My Best!
Don
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