death

I helped bury a dear friend last week. Much to grieve. Much to celebrate. Shirley Ann Frey loved well—freely and fiercely. One of the matriarchs of our church, she taught us how to love our husbands (Seek to understand, before being understood) and our children (you will raise what you praise).

She also taught us that we are not our bodies.

I knew it as soon as I walked out on to the porch last Sunday night.  Our 12-year-old yellow lab, Fisher, was struggling to breathe, could not stand up, and would not eat or drink. I looked at Darren and said "I think it's time," as my voice began to break. Just the day before he seemed fine, but we had known for a while as we watched him age that his time was coming. We just didn't know it would be this day, this sudden. 

For centuries, the sound of a tolling bell has marked that a person has gone to meet his Maker. On this day, the seventh anniversary of the September 11th attacks, it is more than appropriate to remember and honor those who lost their lives in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.