On death and dying

I found out yesterday that a long time friend had passed away. He had been fighting cancer for two years, and finally went home. I was able to visit him and spend the night with his family at their house in DesMoines a week and a half ago. We laughed together and cried together, and one of the last things that I said to him was "Since it looks like you'll get there before me, give me a call when you arrive and let me know how things are." So far he hasn't called yet. Maybe they don't have phones in heaven.

I layed awake last night thinking about him - a wife and kids who have to go on, and my friend just on the other side of this thin veil we call reality. I wondered if he knew my thoughts like my Papa knows my thoughts, if he could hear my heart for him and his family. I know he is in heaven - if there is a heaven, my friend is there. He was a good and godly man.

But I hurt for all of us left here in this life, still having to endure the days, the pain, the confusion of life in this world. From my perspective, I won't see my friend for a long time. For him, it will be but a blink of an eye.

So Mark, if you can read this, know that I love you, that I will miss you, and that I am a little envious that you get to be there while we are stuck here. Enjoy, and I look forward to the day I can see my hubba-bubba-cave-man brother again.