Visitation Day 1

It was harder than I thought this afternoon. I walked in and saw you there. It bothered me some that you weren't smiling because you always smile . . . even when it was bad . . . but I know that is just a shell and not you, friend. When you closed your eyes here on earth, you opened them in Heaven. I know that. I believe that. I am betting my eternity on God's love for all who believe in Him. We who love God grieve differently . . . grieve with hope . . . but we still grieve. And, I miss you. Of course, I stood there and just talked and touched your hand. It was strange. There was no swelling like before. No more wrapping your hands and fingers. No more tubes and fluid-filled lungs. No more tumors or bandages (or D's crazy diagrams for the wound specialists). No more pain meds or fuzzy mind. It really is all over and you are not suffering anymore. How is it that you are there and then you are not? You've been there. I see you in everything . . . your brother's sense of humor . . . A's smile. You would have been very proud of your girls . . . D is tired, friend. His brother and yours took good care of him today. We took some dinner to them afterwards tonight and then left. We didn't go in. They just needed each other. I will help when they need someone. Just like you would do for me.