Someone that I knew, a father of a friend, passed away this week. I think this is, from my recollection, the first time that someone of my father’s generation, who I grew up with and interacted with, dieing from what I would call ravages of age. Not by terrible accident or by cruel murder or some terrible acts – but simply through sickness and weakness that is almost a certainty as we grow older. I can still remember him and how he sounded as I grew up. The jokes that the guys would make about him. His son and I have not talked or communicated for quite a while, but I still would call him a friend. Prayers for him and his family.
Nevertheless, it reminds me of the limited time that I will have with others that are closer to me – especially my own father and mother. We are all Christians, so I know that the seperation of death will only be temporary, but even in that small time that we will be apart, I know I will miss them. I hope that I can make the most of the time that we have here and that I have been and/or continue to be a good son and honor them.
Couple of other thoughts: the church that I go to now are mostly made up of 20-something year old young adults. In fact, I am one of the older ones. However, the church that lends us the space to worship as well as my parent’s church are made up of much older folks. The host church and my church had a joint service – it was interesting comparing their announcements versus what I hear from our church. Announcements and prayer request from our church are items such as outreach to this place, missions to that place, this program and that program and when people do ask for prayers for dramatic healing or things of that nature (ie, not the kiddie sickness or upset stomach or headache type of stuff), it is mostly for others that are not of the church. The host church’s announcements and prayer requests, though they do have programs here and there, have a lot more with healings, care and comfort for members. I can see why the host church would have some excitement for the youth of our church, but I think we miss something by not having mortality facing us as we would if we were part of a church that have older generations. Guess since I am one of the older guys, I may be one blazing that path…
Sorry to hear of your friend’s father’s passing… and thus is the reason I allow Soojin and the kids to go to Korea to spend with her mom (and the kids’ grandma) while they still can…
Thanks.
I definitely understand some of your and your wife’s motivation to spend some time with your wife’s mom.
Though I know that if my wife and children were gone for 3 months or so, I would definitely be lonely.