Today is your birthday. You are not ‘here’ to celebrate it with me, but I had the privilege of spending some time with your daughter, which filled my heart with a sense of peace at this beautiful continuation of our friendship. You were one of the most spiritual people I knew. You were one of the very few people on this earth that I could talk with, about God. Since you went to meet our creator, I have been going to the church we used to go to. Sometimes I go when there is no one else there so I can feel like I am alone with you. The first time I did this, I opened a hymn book and found this. (I know you like it because it is similar to the prayers we used to say together):
The Eyes and Hands of Christ
Where two or there are gathered in my name
Love will be found
Life will abound
By name we are called
From the WATER we are sent
To become the eyes and hands of Christ
One we become
No longer strangers
No longer empty or frail
Filled with the Spirit
Every hunger is satisfied
Christ is the center of our lives
One in the Spirit
One in the Lord
One in the breaking of the bread
Life giving witness of our dying
And New Life
Held by the promise in our hands
Not what we are
But what we become
Not what we say
But what we do
Living the challenge
As bearers of the light
We are the eyes and hands of Christ
(I also find comfort in your memorial card, which reads):
When dawn’s first light
Turned into day
Who knew an angel
Would soon call me away
And though I didn’t get the chance
To say goodbye,
I leave you three things
to help you get by.
I leave you Courage
That you might see
Your heart can rebuild
a world without me
I leave you Faith
That you might believe
The spirit will survive
No matter how much we grieve
And I leave you Love,
To comfort you in its healing embrace
until we meet again in another place
Don’t stand by my grave and weep
For I am not there
I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamonds glint on snow
I am sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn’s rain
In the soft hush of the morning light
I am the soft BIRDS in flight
Don’t stand by my grave and cry
I am not there
I did not die
RICKY
I miss you
I miss having you to talk to
I miss your smile
I miss your laugh
I miss your arms around me
when I feel small and insignificant
Like I do now
I miss loving nature with you
I miss going on spiritual journeys with you
I miss how you made time stand still
I miss sitting in the quiet with you
I just miss you
But I still see you
In the wind in the trees
The birds in the sky
The dolphins in the sea
The stallion in the field
In the Northern lights dancing
The mountains, the moon,
The oceans, and waterfalls
Though you were gone too soon
You are God’s pure light
Strength, Peace and Grace
And you will forever be,
My love, my friend
"How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to."
No coincidence this is Day #66. You were born in 1966. Two years before me. Never thought I'd pass you.....God, I can't wait to see you again. Thank you for visiting me a few times and letting me know you're ok. I hope you feel how loved and missed you are.....
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