If you feel this is too personal, please let me know.
This happened when Lee and I were married about ten years.
We were big baseball fans back then (before they wrecked the game for us) and one evening we were listening to the ball game on the radio. I was at the table, sorting my baseball cards and Lee was sitting on the sofa, reading.
There was some sort of delay with the game, so they played some music. They played Paul Williams “You and Me Against the World.” I had never heard that song before. It was really lovely, melodic with beautiful lyrics. Then he came to a part where he sang “and when one of us is gone, and one of us is left alone to carry on ” It hit me like a bomb. It was unthinkable. I was appalled. The thought had never crossed my mind that such a terrible thing could happen. It may sound silly, that I had never thought of such a thing, but it is true.
I promptly burst into tears.
Lee looked up from his book and said “Patty what’s the matter?” After a few minutes, I composed myself and told him what happened.
He thought for a few minutes, then his face lit up with this big “I’ve taken care of that” smile and he said “well, that’s easy. We’ll just arrange to go together!” He did it in such a silly, absurd way that it solved everything. He could always talk me down from being upset–it was a gift he had. I tend to fret and worry, but he could always ease my mind. He often said I was a charter subscriber to FRET Magazine.
I miss him terribly, but I know he would want me not to fret.
So I won’t.
God bless everybody
Patty
Patty – You were very blessed to be Lee’s wife. We, who belong to the Lord Jesus, know that we will be together again with Him and our loved ones someday, and we take comfort in knowing that. I think that the Lord wants us to keep that promise in our minds and hearts every day that we are apart from them.
I wish I knew who you were, but you are right. I will not fret, nor be troubled because we will be together again in God’s own time. Patty
Yes, it is hard not to fret in troubled times. We have to turn to those we trust and God will ease our troubles. In our daily lives, it is normal to think that we won’t have to face the fact that some of our loved ones may not be around at some time. Take comfort that Lee is loved and missed by those who know him!
Thank you so much. Patty
Our departed ones in Heaven want us to live our lives to the fullest and best we can.
You are right. One of the most frequent phrases in the Bible is “fear not”. Another way to say don’t fret. Patty
There have been losses in my life, over the years. I’ve heard many words of comfort, and to be honest, most weren’t all that comforting. But, in the long range view, this life isn’t what God had in mind. It has it’s good moments, and can be very joyous, but our real hope is in the Kingdom of God, and the restoration of all humankind. Only then will the pains we experience be truly quenched.
There is someone I miss desperately, and only God can restore that, but He will.
In the end, it will get better. Patty
It will, and in the final analysis, this is the only real hope we have. No matter what we have now, it will not measure up to the blessings when God opens His hand and lets his full blessing flow towards mankind.
Thanks, unknowable for your words. They really do mean a great deal. Patty
“well, that’s easy. We’ll just arrange to go together!” I love his sense of humor. What a blessing, you found each other, and shared your lives together for many years.
“and when one of us is gone, and one of us is left alone to carry on ” It hit me like a bomb.” That thought hit me like a bomb, about a month before Maribeth passed away. I already knew, as I saw her strength fading each day, that she would be leaving earth soon, very soon.
When I read the title of this post, I thought of this song by the Bill Gaither Trio, “Why Should I Worry or Fret.” I bought many of their albums soon after I became a Christian.
Why Should I Worry or Fret · The Bill Gaither Trio …
Thank you Mike–you understand. Patty