Special Memory of a Special Friend
A few weeks ago, my wife and I went camping at South Llano River State Park in Junction, Texas with another couple. The first evening we were there, we went to eat hamburgers at a place I had been to before and really enjoyed. Before our meals were even served, Rachel, my wife, got a call from another friend of ours. She wanted to let us know that a mutual friend of ours had passed away suddenly will on vacation somewhere in the Dakotas. It was a real shocker, for as far as we knew, her medical situations were controlled an not life threatening. We spent a lot of time talking and sharing memories about her during the rest of our trip.
The strangest thing about our friend's death is the way it makes me think about my father. During the last year of his life, this friend was so very helpful to me. While I was at school working, she would pick Dad up, drive him to his doctor appointments, and then take him to lunch on the way home. Dad was a lonely widower at the time. Whenever she was around him, his face would light up. He really enjoyed her company and responded really well to her efforts to make him feel special. That was just the kind of person she was.
The day my Dad died, that wonderful women drove into town and visited him during his last few hours of life. He didn't say much. He was too frail and weak for that. But, his face lit up at the sight of her. He lay there looking into her eyes as she bravely stooped close to him and spoke to him in a loving and comforting voice as if it was any other day. Now, of all my memories of her, this is the one that I cherish and will keep with me for the rest of my life.
In my heart, I hold on to the hope that Dad was among the people greeting my friend as she entered into her heavenly home. I know that there are many other people who she cared for and who loved her. Others will be there to welcome her home. But, it gives me a fuzzy and warm feeling to imagine my dad standing there with that loving glint in his eyes when he sees her. I'm sure Mom will also have a welcoming smile for her, as I am confident she watched from heaven as my friend was so loving and caring to Dad.