My daughter and I have been working on Cricut letters for school starting up this 2023 school year. As I was locating the vinyl needed, I realized there was a ziploc bag of completed Cricut items. Then, I realized that these were the projects I was finishing with my Mom before my Dad took me to the airport that afternoon - the last afternoon that I would see my Dad in person on this earth. August 2, 2021. I remember him saying something to the effect of I might need to pack soon to leave as I was trying to squeeze in another Cricut Joy project.
I had gone to help them as my Mom had injured her shoulder pretty severely while out shopping. School would begin after Labor Day, so I had a month (I thought) to pre-lesson plan, and let my creative juices flow to do some extra things. I had bought some items for teaching while out on errands with my Dad, and was excited to add some wall art to my classroom that year.
Taking time to open the bag today to see what I had made brought a rush of grief.
[Many grieve alone though surrounded by people. Kindness is always a good way to live because you never know what another may be grieving inside. Trust is a big factor in one sharing deep thoughts with another.]
Just 15 days later, I would ride through the night to get back there. My son drove me. I had not even unpacked from my trip because of sickness after I returned home.
Some thoughts and facts are too raw to share publicly about the Covid protocol and restrictions at the hospital. The Lord knows it all. I trust Him... and must keep trusting that He wanted Dad Home.
Often the words are used about someone that their days are numbered. The truth is - the days of every person are numbered. Only God knows the number of days we have left on earth by His appointment.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." -Psalm 90:12
This verse was what I pulled out of the bag. I had created it to use for a birthday wall for students. It was confirmation in that tinge of grief when the noise around me was muffled for a moment.
The school focus and creativity turned to thick fog... for a very long time. It was only the Lord Who has sustained me. Every. Single. Day.
Two years later at the same juncture of school preparations, this verse was very comforting in the sense of assurance [yet again] from God that HE knows our number. He knew my Dad's number.
So the day numbering continues. Numbers turn into weeks, months, years, decades, and lifetimes.
I'm thankful to God for the days I had with my parents that week two years ago. I pray God will help me to make the most of all the days I have left for His glory.
"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." -Psalm 104:33