Last Sunday was Mother’s Day. It reminds me how terrible it was just a year ago when the stroke forced my wife and I to be apart from the kids. Allow me to refer to an excerpt from last year.
Sunday May 12th, Mother’s Day (2019)
Today I cried, not just a tear or two, but I broke down weeping like a baby. It was meant to be a joyous time.
A wonderful family from church was so loving they offered to drive Lillian’s parents and the kids out to come see us to celebrate Mother’s Day together. We were so touched by their kindness. We got to see our kids again. Of course, I was in a wheelchair, couldn’t play ball, couldn’t run and chase, couldn’t help them with their food. I was literally half a man. But they were here. It felt so good to hold them one at a time on my good lap, embrace them with my one good arm, and be close again.
But then it happened. My daughter realized it was time to go and she began to cry, which made my wife cry, (at this point I remember my 2-year-old daughter screaming, “Daddy!”) and then I completely lost it. I couldn’t stop the emotional pain, and the rage was incomprehensible. My wife left me in my room to get the kids into their carseats for the long drive home. I asked her to close the door behind her. Feeling like I was about to burst, I tried to let out a scream, a wail, thinking I could release some of the anguish deep inside of me, but the stroke had affected my vocal cords. I heard a yelp, like a dog getting hit by a car, and then silence. A great welling up of pain left my face contorted, but no sound came out. I just sat in my wheelchair, completely helpless in a silent scream…*
The reason I’m looking back is to remind myself how very blessed I am to be reunited with my family this year. Sure, I’m still far from 100% and it’s easy to become discouraged if I dwell on everything I still can’t do, but I am so thankful to be here on my sofa right now with my little girl snuggled next to me, her tiny hand on my lap. I asked my children if they remembered how Daddy and Mommy were far away a year ago, and they assured me that it was still firm in their memory. Perhaps Micah put it best when he said, “Oh, I miss Ahma (Grandma) and Ahgong (Grandpa) and Auntie Priscilla (babysitters), but I’d miss you more if you weren’t here.” So would I, Micah. So would I.
I am so thankful that during this time of Covid-19, I’m “sheltering-in-place” with the people I love the most. Yet, I realize that some of us may not be so fortunate at this time. Some of you graciously reading this blog might be going through a time of loneliness. You might be missing some dear loved one you are separated from because of travel restrictions or social distancing.
Now that I think about it, the greatest social distancing known to man might be that of separating the living from those who have gone on before us. Our hearts go out to you if you have recently said good-bye to a dear friend or family member who has passed on.
But therein lies the Shining Hope for those who know Jesus Christ. Jesus put it this way, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; … Do you believe this?” (John 11:25 NIV) Jesus is referring to His promise to each of His followers that there will be a great Reunion in store that will last for all eternity. God promises all of His children that we will enjoy absolute perfection forever and ever with Him and with each other, including those who have gone on before us.
Even though I’m only middle-aged, I already have dear friends who have graduated from this life. I miss them. The void they leave behind simply cannot be filled. The years I spend without them will never be relived, but thank God those years will be infinitely overshadowed by the eternity we will share together. All who trust Jesus Christ will finally be together forever. And guess what? In Heaven, there’s no such thing as social distancing!
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12 (NLT)
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4 Thank you for your love and support.
* If you’re interested you can always read the rest of the 2019 blog on our website. https://www.leungministries.org/mothers-day/