I just returned from a long weekend in my hometown in Indiana. I made the trip with my second son, and it was a rare treat to spend so much time with him on the road trip. We had the chance to visit with my parents, uncle, brothers, mother-in-law and sisters-in-law and various nieces and nephews. It was an unusual March excursion.
My son was going to pick up a desk for his wife who is a writer*. I was just going along to keep him company and see our family.
We took some walks around town and ended up at the Catholic cemetery.
My parents and uncle have their grave stones carved up (save the death date), and in the ground at their final resting place. They are thinking about what they want to happen at their funeral masses. They want to be ready when it is their turn to go home. I won’t lie, it is a little creepy to look at your parents’ grave sight when they are still living!
It is a little unnerving for those of us who are not yet 80 to hear so much talk of death. We are not accustomed to speaking freely of dying and eternal life. Most of us put those thoughts way at the back of our minds.
My relatives are all at the stage of their lives when they have begun to talk about the end times, their own personal end times.
My family members are facing it head on. They love the life they are living with us but they know they won’t be here forever.
Lent is a great time to be reminded that this life we are enjoying is transient. We are just visiting here on earth. Our final destination is to be with our Lord in heaven.
Today’s psalm (42) is a great one to pray with. “Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God?”
Dear Lord,We don’t know when you will choose to call us home. Let’s use this time of Lenten prayer to make ourselves ready to see your face. Stay close to us on our journey. Bring us your peace.
Amen
My daughter in law is a truly talented writer. You can find her blog here, and be on the lookout for her book, Birdy Cleary, coming out in May!
The Last Lap (and what comes next) 