Man, basking in the light of God’s grace.
I would call Dad every day, although sometimes he’d call me first. I always enjoyed talking with him — he’s my Dad, and I loved him immensely. We’d talk about the children or what was going on with him. He would always tell me about my siblings and about Mom, whom he greatly loved.
I wish I had called him that Tuesday, but my sister called him instead. That will stay with me for a long time that I didn’t.
Wednesday, I called him, but Mom answered. She told me that Dad’s in the hospital. He had choked on something, and he aspirated. Thursday, Mom called again and said I needed to get to the hospital.
He had sepsis and was going down fast. I was told over 20 doctors were in his room trying to keep him alive. I didn’t get there in time. Dad had been gone for three hours. Sepsis killed him.
Tuesday, he was fine. Wednesday, he aspirated. He died Thursday morning. That is so quick. When he awoke on Wednesday, He didn’t say, “I think I’ll aspirate today.” For the time he was alive that Thursday, he didn’t tell the doctors and Mom that he thought he was going to pass from sepsis that day.
Life can be so fleeting. He was only in his 50s. We were supposed to have decades together. I wanted my boys to love him and be with him when he passed from age. That was the way I thought it was to be. Life changes harshly.
The good thing in all this Dad was the epitome of a Christian man. He and Mom raised all of us that way. Jesus is the biggest part of all our lives. I will see my Dad again someday. I will be with him in heaven.
Others, who have never given thought to Jesus nor obeyed the gospel, don’t have this hope. God, through Jesus, offers everyone the opportunity to see loved ones in the eternal realm.
Only Christians can look forward to that day when we are with Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and our loved ones.
On this side of the veil, hug everyone you love, friends and family. Hug them every day if you can and tell them you love them.
Garland Van Dyke