I've always had a hard time with this biblical verse. I believe that this life we live on earth is neither the beginning nor the end of our Spirit. However this week Margaret and I have had some experiences that has shed a little light on this concept for us.
This morning we were woken up by a phone call at 1:30 am informing us that Margaret's grandma, who had been sick for quite a while, had just passed away. Margaret's comment to me later that morning after talking to her parents was that it is amazing how similar the behavior patterns can be for someone on their death bed and a newborn baby.
She talked about the lack of sleep those around these people got, the inability to do basic everyday tasks, such as going to the bathroom and feeding themselves, and the sense of frustration they both get from wanting to do these things on their own.
This got me to thinking a little about the cycle of life and the joy it can bring us. This past week Timothy has been doing things that would remind some people (mom) of myself as a youngster. There's the stuffed dog, snowball, that I got for my 2nd birthday that I had kept as a nostalgic thing that Timothy promptly walked in and grabbed off of the dresser after petting a dog at the book fair last week. Since then he has been almost inseparable from this dog.
Then there is a new fascination for the belly button along with a growing "root beer belly" as my mom would say. There is a story that when I was a chunky little one (you don't have a choice but to be chunky when you weigh 12 lbs at birth) that I would walk around the house, pull up my t-shirt and gleefuly announce "Look at my root beer belly". Well this week we had the pleasure of witnessing this
All of this thinking has made me realize that while the body is of the dust and will most assuredly return thereto, the spirit of man is eternal. However in this life the most important thing is not the time we have while on this earth, but rather the time we spend with those we love. While we most assuredly most do all we can to ensure our state in the hereafter, sometime we need to let that rest and simply take care of the now and the people we love now.
7 comments:
welcome to the blogging world! we too, joined just recently- so much more interesting posts with the baby, huh? oh he's just so darling- what a cute little belly button he has! i have to say, the parent's voice is always entertaining too :)
It's so much fun to see you guys. Well, the baby and your legs! Luke is so into his belly right now, too. Everytime I take off his shirt he grabs it and laughs like crazy. It is so good to see that the Daddy of the family is posting.
Yeah! I'm so glad you've got a blog now, so that i can see what you are up to. Your little boy is very cute! I'm sorry about your Grandma passing away. I hope that you are all doing well!
I am so glad to hear from you. Timothy looks great. I see both of you in him. Margaret, I an sorry about your grandmother. I hope everything else is well with you both. With All my love.
Timothy is so cute! And, you're a very good writer, John. You were honestly TWELVE pounds at birth?!
I am so happy that you started this blog. I have checked the other one each day, hoping for something new. This is wonderful!
Meg, I am sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Though I know you have been expecting this, it's still hard, especially when you can't go and be with your family, to gather together and share memories and comfort one another. Unfortunately I know what it's like to watch from a distance. I would imagine that your Grandma is elated to be with your Grandfather and to be away from the sufferings of this life. As always, you 3 are in our hearts and prayers.
OXOX
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