Week Four Caption – Until My Dying Day
Dear readers, as promised, I share with you this week’s reflection from Until My Dying Day, Chapter 31.
There are a few things in life that are assured. The air we breathe is assured. The rising and setting of the sun is certain. The beauty of the different moons that light our world. Death is also inevitable. These are gifts some have been blessed to enjoy before that final breath.
December, the month, many around the globe celebrate love. Love for life preserved to see another year’s end, and love remembered for those no longer present. It is a season of reflection—on the past, the present, and the future. For some, it is a time of hope that the year ahead will be brighter. For others, it is a time to think more deeply on the Word of God.
I share Chapter 31 with those who, like myself, feel the weight of loss. This comes during a season when others rejoice with loved ones. Still, we are reminded of God’s promise: there will be a resurrection of the dead to judgment. As written in John 5:24–28 and Revelation 20:5, some will be reunited with their loved ones again. So, let us rejoice in the promise set before us, with hope strengthened by faith.
CHAPTER 31 – DEATH, FINALIZES OUR CROSSOVER
THE YEAR WAS 2016. I arrived home from the Kingdom Hall, changed into my house clothing, and began to clean the unit. Suddenly, I fluffed as though the corpse plant had bloomed. On Monday morning, the phone begins to ring. Recently, a sense of fear comes over me when it does. Most of my immediate family members are aged. Life in this chaotic world is short-lived for many.
“Hi Paula,” Veronica’s voice was heard at the other end. “Petal passed away this morning.”
“No, she passed yesterday. As I was cleaning….” I explained, and whether Veronica believed or not, my experience warned me of something about to occur.
This the month of June. The morning started on the cool side when I got into the taxi heading to Union Station. After about half an hour of waiting for the train, it arrived. I boarded and got a comfortable seat by the window. Ten minutes later, it was on its way to New York. An hour into the journey, Veronica is called. She is inform I am on my way and the time the train is scheduled to arrive. I had much time to think about how to present God’s word about the resurrection hope. The books of Numbers and Deuteronomy came back forcefully to review. Deuteronomy 28 stood out consciously concerning the questions directed to my Heavenly Father. The Bible was open, and scriptures were sighted. Once I was done, it gave me the words I would say. I took a notepad out of my bag. I began to write my thoughts with acknowledgment of all in attendance.
Once again, traffic moved back and forth at the station. People came and went as others like me stood awaiting our pick-up companion. I waited for quite some time before the man of interest would arrive. I wondered if the woman across from me was waiting for the same individual. We exchanged a few phone calls, trying to understand the delay. I was informed that traffic outside was chaotic. I found this the case when I got outside the station. He waited for parking, so another call was made to my sister, letting her know of the situation. Finally, parked adjacent to the station, he ran over and embraced me with a kiss on the cheeks. Attention is noted how tall he is. Somehow, he seems to have grown a few inches. It is said that growth in height stops after one has passed thirty years. Even with the heels worn, I felt uncomfortable. It was not a love connection, as faults are overlooked. He picked up my bags and led the way to the car.
New York, New York, is truly a city that never sleeps. Getting on the right road back to my destination was difficult as cars and people made it difficult. It was early in the morning. We were a few hours away from the break of dawn. The city looked as if people were on their way to a nine-to-five job. Now that we were on the right track toward our destination, the conversation resumed. It picked up where it left off before I travelled back to Canada. He was a bit hungry, and I wanted to have a Long Island Iced Tea. So we stopped at one of his favorite restaurants. I was quite pleased with the drink served. I was so pleased I ordered another Long Island Iced Tea. This got me into a mental state I wanted to be in—relaxed. We talked for a while, and then the decision to leave was agreed on. On the way home, the conversation geared off track of mentally stimulated interest. Under the circumstances, he tried to make the meeting a pleasant one, to that it was.
During their occasional meetings, I struggled to understand the relationship between Veronica and him when he came to the home. During those rare times he visited, it was unclear to me how they were connected. It seems his indebtedness would cost him. This would happen if he made the mistake of disrespecting their program. Whatever that is, I did not want to be caught in the middle.
Jobs are hard to get. I know this from my own circumstances. However, there is so much a person can do when they have more resources than the average person. So, when some are constantly with an excuse, such as in his case, “If I don’t sell, I don’t get paid.” I wonder why not seek another that would pay when you work. Not doing so is just another excuse to sit around for a handout. In addition, anyone who cannot control and maintain their responsibility is assured to lean more on their partner to carry their load. I have been carrying my load as long as I have been on my own. I have also helped a few along the way in my life. Not even taking advantage of the year-end Income Tax—dependencies portion to recoup some funds. And has not even received an award for the care given to some. During one of our conversations, he is informed of my knowledge of my sister’s situation with him, and do not want to be caught in the middle.
After pondering the information given, Veronica’s explanation made no sense. The funds received were enough to take him to court. Whether she recoups past payments or not, she will be given a time when he must leave the premises. The premises occupied by another, who would help her manage her financial debt by the end of each month. Some do believe in karma—what goes around comes around. This said, in time, it does. My last conversation months after returning to Canada ended with me hanging up. His comment was either meant for my ears or directed to someone in the office. However, the call not returned spoke volumes; I never did call again, and neither did he.
Finally, the day of the funeral embraced us, sunny and hot. With directions from Alice, we all got into the car to make it to the church on time. However, delayed due to Veronica’s nervousness, we were finally on our way. Once within the neighborhood and with much driving done, “Are you sure you got the address correct?” asks Veronica.
A moment of surprise and excitement stirred the room as family members noticed each other. We embraced and kissed. It was not difficult to notice where most eyes were focused. On the far corner, where the noise came as we joined the line heading towards the coffin. The service had ended by the time we arrived. I was left holding the paper of thoughts I wanted to give. This happened because of the delay in finding the church’s location.
Everything happens for a reason; sometimes, words are best left unsaid. According to Monica and Veronica, “It is her day. What you have written seems to be focusing on you.” This was not my intention. I figure they missed the point. However, I was happy that I got a chance to see her once more before they laid her to rest. Veronica declined to go to the burial site as the distance was quite far. Instead, we drove home after picking up some West Indian food from her favorite restaurant.
DEATH
Afraid? Of whom am I afraid? Not Death, for who is he? The porter of my father’s lodge.
For I will one day say, Death, where is your sting? No more will I hear their cry.
As much abashed me. –B. M. Lustol, Time and Eternity
The New Jerusalem is mentioned in Revelation 21:5. There, HE says: Look, I am making all things new. In verse seven, he states: Anyone conquering will inherit these things.
I know there’s a belief that the dead continue to live. This is not so. Whether you live in both worlds, that of the physical and spiritual, our lives end at death. We understand life ends as we know it. As we are laid to rest until HE resurrects us from the dead, as stated in Revelation 20:5,6. When we die, our breath goes out and all thoughts perish (Psalms 145:4). Therefore, with all our energy, we must pursue our dreams (Ecclesiastes 9). As each one lives doing unto others as they would like done to them. And for the believers, live the ten commandments as you express yourself in the areas calling to exercise justice.
As stated in Chapter Six, the end of this world has another eight hundred and ninety-three years left as of 2021. Time to live, learn and leave behind. However, God can end it as he wishes. He did so in the past [the account of our history in Genesis 7:11-24]. A God known to be a spirit of His word [performance at Genesis 9:11-17] guides us to a conclusion. We can fix the mess we have created on this planet. Alternatively, we may allow the planet to destroy us with its toxicity and gases.
Time is given to live, learn, and leave behind. Whether the world has centuries left or only moments, God holds the power to end or renew. As history shows in Genesis 7:11–24, He is faithful to His word.
Not the full chapter, but thank you for reading. My memoir, Until My Dying Day, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through Dorrance Publishing, www.dorrancebookstore.com
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