Saturday Thoughts

From Jane Austen's Emma

Thought

Memorial Day

I stood beside my grandpa’s grave when I was only nine

I didn’t know if I could live without my grandpa near

The preacher said I need not fear for God is always here

Where Grandpa lives they don’t have any death or grief or pain

But how are those still left behind to face their hurt and fear

He smil’d then and said to me, with eyes all full of tears 

They too may find a place of peace and rest in God’s sweet love

They too can have the tears wiped from their eyes by God above

We're left behind for now but God's dear grace can pull us through

And in His loving arms is comfort all can share, them too

I was just another soldier that quiet desert morn

As we set out that day none of us knew what lay ahead

We were committed to the mission as we all moved out

But oh the shock of seeing steel twist and bodies torn

Just another soldier, tonight I stand beside the dead

Wond'ring about those still in pain and why was I left out?

They too may find a place of peace and rest in God’s sweet love

They too can have the tears wiped from their eyes by God above

We may not understand it all but God is always true

And in His loving arms is comfort all can share, them too

I don’t remember much about the shell that hit our Humvee

I heard the doctors say that this one might not wake again

Then they flew me stateside and the whole family gathered round

I’d tell Mom how much I love her if only I could speak

I’d shake Dad’s weathered hand and say I’m not in too much pain

Is that the angels singing now? Wish they could hear the sound

And now an angel comes to take me home to heaven’s peace

I gladly go, but wait good sir, can we not ease their pain

He took my arm and in the angels’ song I heard resound

They too may find a place of peace and rest in God’s sweet love

They too can have the tears wiped from their eyes by God above

They stay behind for now but God's great grace will get them through

And in His loving arms is comfort all can share, them too

Go ‘Nita

Yea, my little sister will graduate from law school the first weekend in May, which means she has once again passed me, this time in the worldly credential department (she superseded me in the piano department seventeen years ago).

All sibling competition aside, however, I am grateful for the friendship we’ve enjoyed for the past three or four years. Anita has taught me much about what it takes to maintain relationships. She’s the kind of person who will ask pointed questions in order to get at the bottom of particular issues and show genuine excitement when those around her succeed at something.

She’s a formidable opponent in an argument, and she’s usually gracious enough to keep at it until she can see beyond my overstatements and imprecision and I understand what she’s saying. It is great to sharpen minds and arguments with someone with whom you can safely bring half-baked ideas to a greater state of doneness.

All the best Sis!