Welcome Home!
Today, November 16th, is the 4th year anniversary of this beautiful man’s promotion to heaven. I say it that way because he fervently believed this life on earth, is just our internship for what we were created to do, and be, in heaven. I know he’s on assignment there, as we are all on assignment here until OUR “promotion”. I am so grateful for my Facebook friends that indulge me as I often post about him and our life experiences. “Remembering” is one of my greatest joys in life. There is no greater gift given to me than when folks “remember” him with me. In fact, yesterday, I was so touched when our dear friend, Charles Michie, spoke about Ron at a conference I attended. But even more touching, was when I saw that Mick was wearing a vest of Ron’s that I had given him. It meant so much to me.
November 16, 2010: What started as an idea to get our bodies moving, actually got our whole family excited about the upcoming weekend. They were coming in for an early Thanksgiving the next Saturday. And, we’d have our traditional Thanksgiving meal with Ron, in the bedroom. Then when it was dark outside, we’d have the “lighting of the Christmas lights” that had been strategically hung by a crew of family members, just outside my Honey’s window. We knew he would love the family being together for such an intimate, sweet family time together. Then, on Sunday, we would all run in the “Movement of Gratitude” aka “Run for Ron” in the Route 66 Marathon. We had a brilliant plan….or so we thought.
But, God and my Honey had the “MASTER PLAN”! As our big weekend was approaching, my Honey became less communicative; he slept more, and ate less. Always giving in to my usual “drill sergeant” techniques to get him to eat more, had little effect now. This morning, I opened the window blinds wide and exclaimed, “It’s a beautiful day!” His eyes remained closed, but I knew he heard me. This morning was different than the days before when he’d shake his head as I tried to give him “just one more bite”. I fed him almost all of his oats and brown sugar and several bites of toast covered in strawberry jam — one of his favorite breakfast meals. His mom and sister came by for their usual daily visit. He said, “Hi, Mom!”, then closed his eyes again. After they left, I tried to give him his lunch — another favorite — chicken and dumplings, but this time he didn’t respond to eating at all.
Though I had been busy with getting the house ready for the family to come in this weekend, I was drawn to stay by his side now. Something about today was different than before. I took his blood pressure and pulse over and over. It was erratic — high, then low. With all the standing in faith for his healing, now it seemed it was time to to let go. It was just him and me at home. It was as though heaven touched earth as I whispered in his ear, “Sweetheart…I think the ‘Welcome Home’ sign is up for you in heaven. Go ahead. Go there. I’ll be okay. It’s time to push, so PUSH, Baby, PUSH!” I knew I was being his mid-wife, pushing him from this world, into his real home. I called Shawntel and asked her to let Ryan know as he was in Hong Kong. I called Staci who was at her job in Dallas. When I told her that I think Daddy is passing — I laid the phone by his ear and she sang and spoke sweet love words to him. I called Ron’s sister who showed up at our home within a few minutes. The hospice nurse was the next to arrive. She said, “Yes, he’s in transition — it could be tonight or within 72 hours.” He was so peaceful. I was so at peace. I knew it was time to begin the home-going celebration. My Honey was not leaving home….he was going home…..where he belonged. I knew God loved him so much — it was time for him to receive the grandest rewards that awaited him. He had a glimpse of heaven. I just knew it. With all the love I had, and have for him, how could I possibly keep him here one minute longer? He earned this. He deserved this.
Within just an hour, he passed, ever so peacefully, and I saw the most beautiful man I have ever encountered — both outside and inside — push through to the other side. Yes, there were tears — my soul mate, lover, best friend and husband of 44 years went home, yet also tears of joy, knowing pain is over and we’ll be together again one day. I said words that I knew the Father was saying to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of the Lord!” Matthew 25:23.
Did we “lose” him? No, we know where he is! He is not lost. Did we lose our fight? No, we fought the good fight of faith right through to this day. As St. Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…and finally a crown of righteousness awaits me.” 2 Timothy 4:7,8.
By the way, we still had our family Thanksgiving on Saturday, the 20th, and we celebrated him — the beautiful and bright light that had been such a vital part of our lives for so many years, by our lighting ceremony. All of us watched the lighting of our back yard from Honey’s and my bedroom window…..except, not quite as planned, for Honey was no longer in that hospital bed. We like to think that he was watching from his “room with a view” from heaven. He did push through, and now he is cheering us on and pushing us to our finish line!