A good man died today. His name was James Poe. He is among the first of our "peer group" to go, although he was older that most of us. He had surgery for a hernia a year ago that went wrong. Somehow, his liver ended up being injured which led to numerous illnesses. He has been in and out of the hospital ever since.
He has left behind a wife and 2 children. A daughter in college and a 12 year-old daughter. We worshipped with them all for a time until they decided to attend a different church. I work with his wife. She has been an inspiration to watch over the last year. She has maintained her faith and held fast to it while watching her husband do the same. Now she must continue the journey they began together - alone.
It's all so cliche about how there is no grief in heaven and how we should rejoice when our loved ones go to heaven, and that's true. But there is the day in and day out that begins to creep in. The heartbreak and loneliness. Your partner not there to talk about the day with. Though you know the one you love is safe, healed, happy, and loved, you are left to carry on during this walk on earth. Now she has to help 2 girls walk through the loss of their father. She can do it. She has the faith and the courage. But she will need help and prayers.
I have a besty that I joke with from time to time about being the next wife for my husband should anything happen to me and her husband. I half mean it because I think they would be a good fit and I want someone to look out for him and my kids. Goodness knows he and I have discussed all of the contingency plans of what I'm supposed to do in the event he should die before I do. He's taken out a life insurance policy on me because he knows how expensive it will be to hire someone to do my "job" around here. I'm sure most couples have these talks. Now with the passing of James, it seems a little too close to home. Our distant "plans" could actually have to be put into effect one day.
C.S. Lewis is right, grief does feel like fear. For Kathryn and her family, they'll be in our prayers and we'll do what we can to help them through.
