The Heavenly Place

My Mom died during the covid pandemic in 2020.  My Dad died in December of 2023.  Had they both lived to know today here on earth, they would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.  My sister and I have been remembering and anticipating this anniversary day for more than just a few days.  A retired pastor friend who has been a friend to our family for a very long time called tonight from his home in another state simply to say that he remembered this special day in the life of our family.  His call deeply touched my heart and when we hung up, I called my sister to tell her that someone other than the two of us remembered.   

We often are uncertain what to do when our friends experience the loss of a loved one.  Some folks avoid talking or remembering the ones we have lost for fear that talking will rekindle memories of a hard and difficult time.  Others are just so uncomfortable with the reality of their own mortality that not talking about the death of others is an avoidance mechanism.  Of course, there is always that feeling of inadequacy that is expressed as we say, "I don't know what to say" and then we do nothing.  Until we lose someone we love it is hard to understand how good it is to have someone remember the ones we love and to hear their names in conversation.  It does not change the fact that they are gone, but for the names of those we love to be called is a comforting reminder that they have not been forgotten.  

In the church it is the season for a special worship service known as "All Saints Sunday" in which the names of those who have died in the recent year will be called and remembered.  The list may seem long for some who are emotionally unaffected, but know that there are those among us who will be listening for the name of the one no longer here, but instead, there in the heavenly place. Hearing the name being called may bring tears from the heart, but it will also bring forth a spirit of gratitude that the one they love has not been forgotten.