While driving alone and soon after my husband's mother's (and the grandmother of my children) death, I saw the most amazing sight ~ an exceptionally brilliant double rainbow. Twenty-five years later, I'm convinced that it was God's message to me that she was embraced by his light and love.
There's a Waylon Jennings song that talks to me. "I've Always Been Crazy But It's Kept Me From Going Insane." I've never been normal and now I'm an old man.
Don't slow down Daniel...I'm right behind ya!! At 72 I consider myself as a kid who refused to 'grow up'!!! I try my best to keep eyes on the stars and my pee pickin brain busy tryin' to learn new stuff everyday...even if is a new way to say 'Howdy' in a foreign language. I may be slow but I still end up where I wanna be!! There is NO fun in being 'normal' always cdolor outside the lines!!!
What a wondrous memory and what a great way to share with a bereaved soul on how to honor his father! I still often talk silently, in my head to my dad asking for advice on something. He has been gone for 53 years, but I know he's still in my life in so many ways. My mom has been gone 19 years, and it's amazing how often she shows up in dreams. They are definitely still with us! And I loved your last line, Sean, about not being normal. I've always said, please do not call me average! Better or worse, smarter or dumber are ok, but I have never ever wanted to be average!
It’s a hard-won battle: compassion, resilience and wisdom may take root in the fertile soil of misfortune. Lord, let it be so for this young one as it has with Sean.
Our local Hospice agency offers free grief counseling. Some churches do too. Talking with someone about ‘all’ your emotions helps. It’s a journey, don’t be hard on yourself.
It's a good thing those prisms of light show up when they do. They are good gifts that have us remember lots of promises. There are also moonless nights when you can lie out under the stars and catch sight of a falling star. Maybe this is for a letter writer to be reminded there are times when you may get little glimpses. Be sure to watch for them and hold on to them. Know that you're not alone.
What a beautiful and kind response to this boy. He will probably remember your words, and the fact you took time to write him, more than anything anyone else might say. The lives you touch are more than you will ever know. Thank you.
I often 'talk' to my big brother. I see things, and hold onto them so I can tell'em to him. He's been gone a year. It's sometimes hard, but I don't ever let go or quit looking for stuff to tell him. It better remembering all the things we did, places we went. But it'll be alright. Thanks Sean.
I like the picture of stopping the car, getting out and running towards the refracted light, seeing the colors that are always there but only visible when it rains
You'll notice little things now. Nothing overt, just out of place or not quite normal. Don't assume your Dad isn't looking out for you. Hey, most dead people attend their own funerals! Even linger a while to make sure you're okay. I've had dogs show up after I know they're dead, just to check on me. How much more is a human who loves you? So smile a lot, but keep it to yourself. Until it happens to "them," they wouldn't believe a word. But you know, and it just happens to be one of the most wonderful secrets of the universe. And Heaven! Wow! If that makes me abnormal, hey, I'll take it!
Dads. Such important relationships. My dad died in 2016. He was a doctor of metallurgy. He was the smartest, most humble person I ever knew. He was a father of seven, 5 girls and two boys. He would pack us all up in a motorhome he designed and made out of a city bus. And we would just drive and see the states for two weeks every summer. They were magical and sometimes scary. We would break down and my mother would scream, a lot. But oh, the things we saw. We made it to 49 states. I slowly watched him melt away with congestive heart failure. It’s a devastating disease. Life is so fleeting. But one day we will meet again. God rest his soul.🙏🏻😔
Those were tears of joy. What a powerful and encouraging message to all of us, but particularly to that grieving young man. I am going to quote part of this in a one of a series of advent messages I'm writing on Joy. I'll give you full credit, Mr. Dietrich. People in church need to know about you, as well as that "normal" is anything but...
While driving alone and soon after my husband's mother's (and the grandmother of my children) death, I saw the most amazing sight ~ an exceptionally brilliant double rainbow. Twenty-five years later, I'm convinced that it was God's message to me that she was embraced by his light and love.
Beautiful thought.
One of your best analogies yet! You might not be normal but I think you're rather brilliant.
There's a Waylon Jennings song that talks to me. "I've Always Been Crazy But It's Kept Me From Going Insane." I've never been normal and now I'm an old man.
Don't slow down Daniel...I'm right behind ya!! At 72 I consider myself as a kid who refused to 'grow up'!!! I try my best to keep eyes on the stars and my pee pickin brain busy tryin' to learn new stuff everyday...even if is a new way to say 'Howdy' in a foreign language. I may be slow but I still end up where I wanna be!! There is NO fun in being 'normal' always cdolor outside the lines!!!
Right there with you Steven!
Brilliant. Same here. I considered being "nornal" was the hallmark label for mediocrity!
Love this
What a wondrous memory and what a great way to share with a bereaved soul on how to honor his father! I still often talk silently, in my head to my dad asking for advice on something. He has been gone for 53 years, but I know he's still in my life in so many ways. My mom has been gone 19 years, and it's amazing how often she shows up in dreams. They are definitely still with us! And I loved your last line, Sean, about not being normal. I've always said, please do not call me average! Better or worse, smarter or dumber are ok, but I have never ever wanted to be average!
Amen!
Talk to him too. It heals, and if you listen you’ll be able to hear him answer inside you.
True
Wise, beautiful words, Sean.
God speaks to us through nature and rainbows, we just need to see and listen. That's the only way to be "normal"; and, it brings joy.
It’s a hard-won battle: compassion, resilience and wisdom may take root in the fertile soil of misfortune. Lord, let it be so for this young one as it has with Sean.
Our local Hospice agency offers free grief counseling. Some churches do too. Talking with someone about ‘all’ your emotions helps. It’s a journey, don’t be hard on yourself.
It's a good thing those prisms of light show up when they do. They are good gifts that have us remember lots of promises. There are also moonless nights when you can lie out under the stars and catch sight of a falling star. Maybe this is for a letter writer to be reminded there are times when you may get little glimpses. Be sure to watch for them and hold on to them. Know that you're not alone.
What a beautiful and kind response to this boy. He will probably remember your words, and the fact you took time to write him, more than anything anyone else might say. The lives you touch are more than you will ever know. Thank you.
The poetry of this is just beautiful. And normal is highly overrated.
I often 'talk' to my big brother. I see things, and hold onto them so I can tell'em to him. He's been gone a year. It's sometimes hard, but I don't ever let go or quit looking for stuff to tell him. It better remembering all the things we did, places we went. But it'll be alright. Thanks Sean.
I like the picture of stopping the car, getting out and running towards the refracted light, seeing the colors that are always there but only visible when it rains
You'll notice little things now. Nothing overt, just out of place or not quite normal. Don't assume your Dad isn't looking out for you. Hey, most dead people attend their own funerals! Even linger a while to make sure you're okay. I've had dogs show up after I know they're dead, just to check on me. How much more is a human who loves you? So smile a lot, but keep it to yourself. Until it happens to "them," they wouldn't believe a word. But you know, and it just happens to be one of the most wonderful secrets of the universe. And Heaven! Wow! If that makes me abnormal, hey, I'll take it!
Dads. Such important relationships. My dad died in 2016. He was a doctor of metallurgy. He was the smartest, most humble person I ever knew. He was a father of seven, 5 girls and two boys. He would pack us all up in a motorhome he designed and made out of a city bus. And we would just drive and see the states for two weeks every summer. They were magical and sometimes scary. We would break down and my mother would scream, a lot. But oh, the things we saw. We made it to 49 states. I slowly watched him melt away with congestive heart failure. It’s a devastating disease. Life is so fleeting. But one day we will meet again. God rest his soul.🙏🏻😔
Those were tears of joy. What a powerful and encouraging message to all of us, but particularly to that grieving young man. I am going to quote part of this in a one of a series of advent messages I'm writing on Joy. I'll give you full credit, Mr. Dietrich. People in church need to know about you, as well as that "normal" is anything but...
Healing words Sean. Thanks And for sure...God didn't make cookie cutter people. He LOVES variety.