Learning ASL is a hoot, because I have to find a new paradigm for humour; the quick and witty comeback doesn't really work when fingerspelling. Jokes have to be planned, and rehearsed, so Barb will find the delivery unambiguous.
The reason for having to learn, though, is getting a bit distressing, physically. Everything just hurts too darn much, and just bending over runs me out of breath real quick.
And I do sometimes think about What Comes Next.
Won't say, "I can hardly wait!" That would be forced.
But a part of me is waiting, a kind of calm curious waiting.
Shakespearean flair for the dramatic,
words attuned to weighty depth;
now they seem so trite, pedantic
when I am running out of breath.
It is all so very simple now,
and why did I not know before
that the only virtue lies in how
you live before that final door
opens to eternal light
and outlined there are God and friends
against a morning sun so bright
in a dawn that never ends.
The wheel has turned, the die is cast,
and I am going home at last.
Music from Mercy Me, with Almost Home.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
What a beautiful image of God and friends silhouetted against the light to welcome you/us home, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like you are being honed for your homecoming.
Much love my online friend.
Liz, thank you so much for these lovely, heartfelt words...an please, again, excuse my late reply!
DeleteBeautiful poem - you continue to be such an inspiration! And I love the song too. Sending love and prayers.
ReplyDeleteLesley, I'm so honoured (and so glad you liked the song choice!).
DeleteAnd please pardon my tardiness in replying.
I can't even, A and B...we love you two.
ReplyDeleteAnd we love you, dear Susan. XOXOXOXO
Delete"It's all so very simple now and why did I not know before...."
ReplyDeleteWe build and then it unravels to where we began, yet now, we know. But who wants to be dust, until we learn that it must be the most precious thing to God if He chose it for His most precious, prized creation, man. Praying for you today. Who believes weakness is growth, it doesn't make sense to the natural man. I think it to say, You, my friend are stronger than you have ever been.
Mary, the preciousness of dust is such a marvellous thought!
DeleteThank you so much for this lovely, affirning comment. You made my day.
The perspective you have has left me speechless. Truly. Going Home is what this journey is about.
ReplyDeleteApril, wow...I am so honoured!
DeleteThank you so much for being here.
You are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMeg, I don't know what to say, except 'thank you'.
DeleteASL is actually a really beautiful language! Always praying!
ReplyDeleteTara, it really is...and thank you so much for your prayers!
Delete(((((Andrew)))))
ReplyDeleteAnnie in Texas
((((((Annie!))))))
DeleteThank you so much for being here.
know you'll be welcomed as you go home. :) You'll be missed here on earth too.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, thank you so much for this.
DeleteThank you Andrew, for words that come from the heart. You inspire so many folks. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I am so grateful for these loving, affirming words. Blessings back!
DeleteMuch love to you and Barb, dear Andrew. You really have "fought the good fight" and the light of Jesus shines so brightly through you. And I would say that Barb has also been fighting the good fight and has given so much of herself. God's light also shines brightly through her. I pray that He will comfort you both and be so near in this very hard time. My prayers are with you both. xo
ReplyDeleteGayl, thank you for this, from the bottom of our hearts. Truly, Barb has had the rougher go.
DeleteDear Andrew, praying that when the Lord says it's time, He will carry you gently home to Himself and that He will be a loving, gentle comfort to Barb. Although we've never met on this earth, I will miss you until we meet in heaven.
ReplyDelete"The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever."
Love to you both,
Kathryn in SC
Kathryn, thank you so very much for this warm, affirming and loving comment. We are so grateful for your friendship!
DeleteHurting for you, dear Andrew! I hate that you can't even really speak anymore! But I'm so grateful that your sense of humor remains in tact AND that you continue to share your wit and wisdom here. It is a wisdom won through the fieriest of trials that most of us know nothing about! Hugs and prayers for you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteBeth, thank you for this...it does hurt...a LOT...now, but really, I'm OK, and safe in Hs hands.
DeleteThank you so much for the hugs and prayers!
Andrew! This is beautiful and I think it's great that you're learning ASL. We can all be reminded by your actions of writing, posting, learning ASL, and encouraging fellow bloggers, that there is purpose in the waiting. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU, Suzett, for these gracious words. Learning ASL is really fun. Wouldn't have missed this, and am honoured to share it.
DeleteOh what a beautiful poem! Glad to read you have kept your sense of humor in any language... :)
ReplyDeleteKatha, thank you so much!
DeleteAwww, Andrew, you brought tears to my eyes. The beauty of your words and the reality of how close you must be to opening that final door has me both rejoicing for you and grieving for the rest of us. I'm praying for you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, thank you so much for this. I don't want to open that door yet, but I'm ready for when God does.
DeleteThank you so much for your prayers!
Thank YOU!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a poignant heart stopping post, God bless you dear friend for your humor and preciousness. That you even took the time to stop by my post and write that lovely comment and poem. Am packing in a huge hug and prayer that you be safe as you wait, as you breathe, as you watch for what comes next. Gratitude for having met you via blogs, in this life. Oneday we will meet, and I'll know you by your dear kind heart that took the time to visit my post. May the Hand that brought you this far, hold you close. May your hours here be touched by His Grace and strength. Love you with the love of Jesuz, precious One, stay blest! 🌻🌼🌷⚘
Innerdialects (I don't know what else I may call you?), thank you so much for this gracious, warm comment, and especiall for the hug and prayers!
DeleteI'm glad we met through this medium, and I look forwar to meeting you, or real, on the Other Side, with God.