Arrivals

In an earlier post entitled "Schedules," I wrote about my friend who said that learning of his terminal disease was like being at the train station, waiting for the train, with no schedule.  Yesterday morning, very early, his train arrived.  For those who loved him, his train was running ahead of schedule.  I believe he considered the train to be right on time.

He was a man of many talents.  He was extremely intelligent.  He used information in his job that was and is way over my head.  He gardened, and that is quite the understatement. He cooked.  He worked tirelessly in his community library. He loved to travel. He loved learning.  Even after he was confined to his home, he kept his mind busy using his computer, often sending me items of interest to pass along to the senior citizens of our church family.  He was a man who did not do things in a mediocre way. 

He was a husband.  He was a dad. He was a granddad.  He was a friend.  He was a most useful citizen.  He was a leader in our church.  He told a great story when we visited with him a couple weeks ago.  He served in the eldership at church for about 8 years.  During that time two different preachers were let go.  This was before everyone had cell phones.  When it became evident that the first fellow needed to move on, the eldership wanted to be sure everyone agreed.  My friend was in Hawaii.  They tracked him down.  The second time, he was in Alaska.  Once again, they were able to track him down to get his input.  His opinion mattered.

One time he told me to shut up in a board meeting.  I admit that I was stunned into silence.  I am certain that it was "advice" that I desperately needed to hear.  In my youthful and "infallible wisdom," I was spouting my opinion about something of which I knew very little.  It stung a little at the time, but shortly afterwards, I realized that he gave me a wonderful gift in reminding me that a few words go a long way, and that I really don't know everything. 

I am happy for him, that he is no longer waiting for that train.  I am sorry that I did not spend more time in his presence these past months of his life.  He became ill at about the time I had back surgery, and I sort of let life become all about me during my recovery.  I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with him and other friends that Wednesday evening.  I will miss him.  As another friend, who served with him, said, it is another loss from that era of our church family. 

I have no idea what happens when one leaves this part of his or her journey through eternity, but I like to think there is a joyful reunion going on with Carolyn and Frank and Ruth and Zona and Charlie and Helen and Howard and Gussie and Buddy and Big John and Kennedy and Willene among others, as they welcome Hugh. 

So, while Hugh will be greatly missed, we are confident in the safety of his travels, for we know the engineer of his train.  For us all, I wish joy in the wait at the station and

blessings