My Instead: I visited my son-in-law Ross at the funeral home for his grandfather’s visitation and touched his grandpa's hand.
After an extended
illness, my son-in-law’s grandfather James passed away quietly at the age of
85. Ross always spoke highly of his grandpa. He was at the wedding of Ross and my
daughter, but I really don’t remember meeting him…too much going on for the
mother of the bride. I am sad that I did not take the time to talk with him…now
he’s gone from this life.
When I got to the
funeral home, Ross found me right away and led me to where his grandpa lay. My
head was immediately filled with visions of my grandpa and my dad in their
final repose. I remembered touching their hands, longing for that one last
connection. Drawn to do the same, I reached out my hand to touch James’ hand
and held it there. The old man I saw lying there vanished. All I could envision
was his life…his youth, his young adulthood, his middle age, and lastly his “golden
years”. And what a life it was! As I let go, I turned to Ross and looked at him
in a renewed way. He introduced me to his cousin Wyatt. I had met Wyatt at
Ross’ wedding and tied his tie, he reminded me. As these two young men stood
before me and their grandpa lay behind me, there was a spirit that passed
through me. I found myself conveying to them thoughts and feelings that were
not just mine, but their grandfather’s as well. They listened and they shared.
It was a moving moment.
What now? "Now" is their time.
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