Still Life

Today, as we journey to Highlands, North Carolina for my niece, Jessica Powers wedding on Sunday, I have come to the end of my thirty-three day journey. When I undertook this journey thirty-three days ago, it was for the main purpose of seeking gainful, sustainable employment. As of today, that goal has not been met. We continue to live on faith and dwindling retirement funds. Melanie is in Germany until November 3rd, returning with the promise of a part-time employment with North Florida Surgery Center and a determination to make her Herbalife business prosper.
While the goal was not met, as of yet, there are still hours left in the day, I learned much about myself. One, I am still very, very profoundly weak in the faith and fall quite easily into side paths and snares. Two, I will not again journey in such a way, as if at the end of the journey, there awaits prosperity and ease. It is a journey of faith. It is a journey fraught with trials and tribulations, some joy to be found, as a rare coin dug from the sand.
Today I shall meditate upon the past year, the many times God comforted me in the days I sat beside Melanie in her coma and prayed.
Of the many times I looked out that little upper window in her room to the heavens. Of how daily, the buzzard of life and comfort would fly past the window, telling me, I the Lord, who sent this messenger, continues with you. Of the many people I was able to minister to in their sorrows and despair of having loved ones not make it out of CCU 5. Of that day, lost in the Ocala Forest, nearing empty of gas, crying out, and immediately the buzzard soars past overhead, and around the next corner over a hill, a little one pump gas station.
Of the angels that flew in daily upon the heavenly clouds, sending forth arrows and darts to battle the death angels hovering thick.
Of the turn of the vitals when failing. Of seeing Melanie open her eyes in recognition for the first time. Of seeing her mouth the words in silence, I love you, as Chris Tomlin sang Amazing Grace upon the Ipod in her ear.
November shall come, and we shall be most Thankful for the blessings that has been heaped upon us this past year. If we lose the house, the cars, the bikes, the canoes and kayaks, then it was part of the glorious paring down process, of unencumbering ourselves of the earthly, in preparation for the spiritual bodies we all must soon don.
The journey shall continue until that day. I do hope that you shall come along to keep us company.