Remembering While Living in the Land of the Living
It is the 16th of November, but, this day, it is the year 2010. A gentle breeze comes in our bedroom window. The melodious sounds of Oklahoma’s many bird varieties capture our attention. They are singing with Louis Armstrong “And I think to myself, ‘what a wonderful world'”. In the near distance, we see the fish showing off their back-flip stunts in our little lake — tempting and beckoning us to come get them! If only we could. Who knew that all of creation was getting their party hats on and preparing for a grand celebration later this day? God did.
Creation was right because later this day, my best friend, husband, lover, and my kids’ beloved father and papa was celebrating in heaven. I celebrate this day and his life by living mine. It is my legacy to a man who loved and lived life in his God-given purpose on purpose. At 11 years post his graduation, I know I’m carrying on his and my legacy. If one person decides to live a beautiful life because I share my/our journey, then my Ron lives on. That’s our collective gift to this world.
I write this blog in the first person as it seems like today is just yesterday. These years have flown by. I’m not sad because there is no sadness where he is. I’m not in denial or forgetful. I haven’t “moved on” because the man I have loved for nearly 84% of my life, is still very present in my life.
When I say “Ron is; your dad is; your papa is” – it’s because he still IS. He’s present with me in my daily musings and in my blogs; in my ministry to others; in our children and grandchildren and their lives of abundance and blessing. Together, we “collaborated” and got this Wuerch-clan party started. I’ve not moved on FROM Ron. Rather, I’ve moved forward WITH him. As a matter of fact, we’ll be having another Wuerch party tomorrow for our youngest grand, Bryson — #15! Papa will be present at the party because he lives big in each one of us.
This attitude of mine started with his. This optimistic, hope and faith-filled man made me into this hope and faith-filled woman. This woman is diligently running her race to finish her assignment strong on this earth. I’m not mourning and living in death with him. No way! I’m living in the land of the living with him!
If it were the other way around and he was here and I was there, he would be carrying on – living, loving, and encouraging those around him. He would be mentoring old AND young people. He would be a beacon of light to this generation – all the while modeling for widows and widowers how to carry on with their assignment and to live strong with no regrets. And guess what! Because he lives on in me, I AM doing what he would do. I purpose to continue to carry on strong to my finish line.
I know this beautiful man is leaning over heaven’s grandstands cheering me AND you on! Happy homegoing day to my sweetheart and happy living-and-finishing-strong day to you and me!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2