Life is like a Vapor

Friday was the day we finally were able to make our little day trip down to meet DH’s cousins. Although he is a native of the Dallas area, he spent his first seven years living in a small town halfway between Dallas and Houston. Most all of his relatives on his mother’s side lived there and he stayed with his grandparents on their farm. Thus, he spent a lot of time with his cousins then and over the years following they remain close. We don’t see them that much anymore because everyone’s lives are so busy these days, but I think all of them are realizing we aren’t getting any younger and it’s much better to meet together over BarBQ and potato salad, than over the fried chicken and potato salad after a funeral. The sad truth is, that is more the norm.

So we made the drive down on Friday morning and met for lunch. We talked about the usual things, family, kids, grandkids, health, surgeries, a few things about the past, but not that much. Someone asked DH’s cousin Judy what her husband Lawrence was doing today, where he was. “Oh, he rode his motorcycle down to Galveston for lunch and he’ll be back this evening. He loves to get on his bike and just ride over to different places, have lunch, and come home before evening.” The conversation then turned to his adventurous nature and, of course, I had to tell a few of DH’s motorcycle tales.

After a couple of hours, we said our good-byes as I wanted to beat the rush hour traffic in Dallas. We had been home maybe 30 minutes and I texted the photo I took of the cousins together.

Mike, Ray, Judy, Jay, Mary Anne 

My phone rang in response to my text and it was cousin Ray calling to tell me they had just found out that Judy’s husband had been killed instantly on the highway in Nacogdoches. Unbelievably shocking and unexpected news. Strangely enough, the accident occurred even as we were speaking of Lawrence at lunch.

Folks, we wake up each day and thank God for our life, asking Him to lead us and guide us, then go on about our business as usual, thinking we know what our day holds. We cannot know for certain how it all will play out, as I learned many years ago myself, but this I know: we can know and rely on God’s love for whatever comes our way. Let’s be ready when He calls us to whatever the day may bring. Lawrence and Judy’s pastor posted these words this morning how he was missing his friend.

“You never know what might happen from one day to the next. Really from one minute to the next. For years, I don't even know how many, almost every morning at seven o'clock, Lawrence would come to the church and into my office where we would just talk about whatever subject came up. Yesterday morning was no different except that it was the last time for me to see him alive on this earth. As he was walking out the door I told him to be careful on that bike. He turned, pointed to me and said, "I'll see you later!" And now, the next morning, it is seven o'clock and I'd sure love to see him walk in this door again. Gonna miss him in so many ways. Prayers for all his wonderful family and many friends. And yes my friend, I will see you later!”

We will meet up with you later!