Hi friends…just wanted to give you the rundown on my time here in Alaska…well…actually, I’m in the Seattle Airport, waiting to fly home via a rather circuitous route. I tried to sweet talk some folks into re-routing me from here to Tokyo, but they didn’t bite. I now get to take a red-eye flight to Houston, wait for a while and then take an uber-long flight to Narita. Thankfully, I’m armed with some less potent sleeping medication this time!
I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to have been in Alaska during the time that Barb graduated to Heaven. Our first day together we shared a special, recognizable time where I even made her laugh and smile. (Of course, all who know me, understand the value I place on that skill!) To be with her and to be recognized for even such a short time was wonderful. The next day, I could see a remarkable progression in her inability to understand and see. Finally, yesterday, after getting to spend an hour and a half in her room talking to Dan, she transitioned into Heaven. I had just left the room to start dinner and Dan called the kids in when Barb took her last breath. It was perfect, all of her family was there and Dan came out and both Jenessa (another Cadence worker) and I were there to hug and be with him as he realized the gravity of it all and wept.
The situation goes from hovering around and waiting to moving at light speed to get tickets, prepare memorials, times, etc. They are blessed with a wonderful community of people to whom they have poured out their lives and they are rallying to console, comfort and help. It was such a blessing to be with the family during this time…it could’ve been a hundred other people but God let it be me and I am so blessed.
Their kids are doing well…continue to pray…they have the Memorial on Thursday and then that night they fly to Chicago for another memorial service…it will be a whirlwind of 10 days. Pray for Dan to find what he needs to understand and to give what he can’t understand to the Lord’s grace and mercy.
I have 40 hours until I get home…yikes!
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