My Feet Show It

Those of you who know Martin and my dating story know that it was not a simple, easy or straight path. We had a few roadblocks, dead ends and one big pothole.

In times of sadness, stress and frustration, you learn some things about yourself. I once heard someone say that people are like ketchup packets: until you squeeze them, you don't know what's really inside. Well, among other things, I found that a really lousy poet is inside me. When I feel rotten, I write rotten poetry. Our dating saga produced some doozies. I sure hope that I threw them away...

After a particularly hard night last week, this is what came to me. Enjoy, or not, as it is truly terrible.

My Womb

Is an empty tomb; the tiny body spirited away.
Is an unoccupied room; the little one couldn't stay.
Is a garden without bloom;... something that ends in "day"?

That's as far as I got. It's been in my Drafts folder for over a week, and I finally
decided that there was no more inspiration in that particular well. I hope the laugh you get from my morose and overly simplistic rhyming scheme makes your day better.

No Tears in Heaven

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.
All these things are gone forever.

Matthew 6:10
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Galatians 6:2
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

There are many scriptures about the Church being one body. We often hear the local church assembly being referred to as family. But until you experience what we have experienced these past few weeks, these are just words that we use.

From the first phone call to last night's prayer meeting, we have been supported, surrounded and comforted by our closest friends, those we attend church with, and those we have just met during our church merge. From the first convergence of support, both to me here in Phoenix and to Martin in Las Vegas, we have been stunned by the generosity of those around us. Everything was dropped so that I wouldn't have to be alone. Travel plans were made so that Martin could be home with me that night. So many offers to bring meals, to be with us at the surgery center, to just hang out. So many prayers. So many notes of encouragement. So many hugs and smiles. So many who shared their own stories of loss so that we would know there is hope.

I have seen more tears in others' eyes as they ask how we are doing that I know that many have been shed in private for our loss. And I am surprised by how few tears I have shed for myself. And now I see it: when we get to heaven, Jesus himself will wipe the tears from our eyes and there will be no more crying. My church family, my own body, have cried tears on our behalf, have carried our burden, have prayed peace and strength beyond what we could have even imagined, and have brought a little bit of heaven to earth.

Thank you all.