Death = New Life???

Three weekends ago, RRB and I traveled to North carolina to visit her grandfather in the hospital. What we thought was a routine (?) visit turned out to be a tearful goodbye. He had told her that he wanted to meet me before he “kicked off”. Little did he know that just a few short hours after we did meet… he did “kick off”. What an interesting way to meet an extended family: during one of the most intimate of times. I think I held up ok.
I really like her family. I have so much respect for them all after seeing the way that they handled the passing of a loved one. I was especially taken aback by the courage and strength of her grandmother and oldest uncle. After going through loss myself, I can assure you all that haven’t that it is not an easy undertaking. But to see the grace, dignity, and faith of this family just confirms in me what I have known for a long time.
Going back on subsequent trips and eventually to the funeral, I was able to meet and even get to know many members of her extended family. It was not the ideal circumstances in which to meet them all, but—all in all—it was OK. I felt so welcomed and loved, even as I was the outsider during a very private and personal time for them all. It made me very excited about the things that are yet to come!