 |
|
|
It had been a couple of years since I’d been to the valley. This was only the third time I’d ever been there. The first time was for an adoption seminar with my housemate. I went for moral support. My husband and I had our own children and were not interested in adopting. The last time I’d been to the valley was for a wedding reception at the home of an old school friend. We’d reconnected on Facebook. She lived in Virginia and her mother hosted a celebration out here. I’d gone alone to that but on this most recent trip my husband drove. We found out the last time that it’s too long a drive for my easily tired eyes. I had to close one eye so I wouldn’t see double as I drove. While we are both very thankful for God’s protection Dave decided not to chance something happening.
The trip wasn’t full of anticipation for the future as the adoption seminar had been. Nor was it filled with the joy of new love. No recently I went to the funeral of my friend’s mother. I didn’t know her well but I went to support Kjersti. She arranged a lovely service despite the sudden loss. I felt bad for her when an elderly couple could be heard to say, “I’ve never been to something like this. It isn’t normal.” My friend’s aunt got up and spoke about the fear of being in a car with Deb, because she veered to the left. I racked my brain and couldn’t find a time I’d ever been in her car. I hadn’t but I think I know why she veered, the same reason my mom veered to one side when she swam: scoliosis. Deb, like my mother had lived many years with this debilitating painful back condition.
We released balloons after and then went back inside for refreshments. I talked to Kjersti briefly as a friend and as someone who’s been there. I lost my mother in 2008. Then we got on our way. Getting on the freeway I noticed the sign: “Thru traffic merge left.” It wasn’t the symbolic merging arrows. It was words. To me they had a deeper meaning. As soon as I got home I sent Kjersti a Facebook message. I told her that her mother wasn’t veering left when she drove. She just knew she was thru traffic. She was going to stay on this freeway of life even with its pains and sorrows for as long as possible. I saw that same determination in my own mother. I too hope to be viewed as someone who veers left when it comes to staying the course.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
