Grief

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We know
that
in everything
God works
for good
with those
who love Him,
who are called
according
to
His purpose.
[Romans 8:28]
********************
"I think that Ona
would have thought
that sounded like
a bunch of horse
manure, Lord.*"

[NOD.]
[QUIET VOICE.]
"Did you ask her,
child?"

"Uh, uh.
Just cuz I believe
in Christ now, doesn't
mean I'm gonna INTRUDE
myself into someone's
else's GRIEF."
(Pause.)
"That's between You....
and HER."

[NOD.]
"Do you think
it is manure,
child?"

(Shrug.)
(Long pause.)
"Yeah......"
SOMETIMES."
(Shrug.)

[SILENCE.]

"Her son was only
30 years old,
Lord."
(Silence.)
"He was plannin'
on gettin' MARRIED...
and...
havin' KIDS."

[QUIET VOICE.]
"I know,
My child."

(Small smile.)
(Cynical look.)
"Yeah.
I forgot.
That's RIGHT.
You DO know...
DON'T You?"

[PATIENT GAZE.]

(Nod.)
"She asked me
how one gets over
it. I said.. they
probably never do."

[SILENCE.]

"Then, I shrugged
and said, 'Time......?'"

[SILENCE.]

"I told her,
I never had any kids
but I know how I
feel when one of my
cats dies. And.....
of course,
that doesn't even
come CLOSE."

[PATIENT GAZE.]

"Before I spoke to her,
yesterday.....I thought
she was just a very
quiet person; now, I
realize she's
just wandering around.....
in shock."

[SILENCE.]

"She says she's gotta
WORK; I said,
'Well.... the work
probably HELPS..."

[NOD.]

"I'm not the type
that's gonna start
spouting Scripture
at somebody; I think
that's CRUEL."

[TENDER VOICE.]
"Why is it
cruel,
My child?"

(Blow out a big sigh.)
"CUZ......
it's just words on a
paper."

[SILENCE.]

"If somebody had
said that.....to ME..
after my Dad's suicide,
I would'a SMACKED 'em."

[GAZE DOWN AT
HIS BELOVED CHILD.]
[TENDER GAZE.]

(Grimace.)
"I would'a smacked 'em.
It's just a bunch 'a
STUPID WORDS."

[LONG PAUSE.]
"Perhaps so, child."
[TENDERLY STROKE
A TEAR ON THE SIDE
OF HIS CHILD'S CHEEK.]
"But,
they're
Mine."
*********************
My days
are past,
my plans
are
broken off,
the desires
of my heart.
[Job 17:11]

______________________
*The author is always
talking to God the Father;
Jews don't use
"Father": usually they
say "Adonai".


In Memory:
Ona's son.

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