The Joy of Reunion!
Our week with friends and family in
California early in May was fun… and busy! After spending the first part of it
in Desert Hot Springs, California with former UCLA roommates and husbands, Al
and I spent the last half of the week in the San Joaquin Valley.
Departing from our life-long friends was sad,
with the uncertainty of when we would meet again. One of the ladies commented
in an email after the reunion: “When I think of how quickly we organized and
agreed to this trip among 12 busy people, it truly was a miracle born out
of a heartfelt desire planted by God to bring this group together after so many
years of separation.”
That morning, we drove our friend
Bertie to her home in Banning, where we planned on picking up my great-nephew
from his maternal grandparent’s mobile home park and taking him to Tehachapi
where he would be staying with another family.
Although the GPS usually is
dependable in directing us to unknown destinations, in Banning we had trouble
finding the entrance to the park. We were led to a locked gate without a clue
as to how to get in. Al parked outside the gate while I called his grandmother,
Jenny, to find out where to go next.
Then I noticed a lady standing nearby.
If Jenny didn’t answer, maybe she could help us. Surprisingly, the phone was
answered—and even more surprisingly, it turned out that the lady at the gate
was Jenny!
We
laughed! It had been quite some time since we had first met. Neither of us recognized
the other! Jenny gave us the correct directions and soon we were all sitting at
their dining room table, great-nephew James included, eating home-baked cookies
and sharing stories.
Another farewell before going on to
our next stop—Tehachapi—to the country home of my niece Hayley, her husband and
family. Along the way James shared about life in Albania, where he has been
living with his parents for the last six years or so. What brought James back
to California? He was planning on attending college in the United States next
fall and was working to earn money toward that goal.
Once in Tehachapi, we enjoyed a
wonderful chicken dinner while sitting outside on the deck with a great view of
the foothills.
“Shhh, don’t tell the chickens,”
laughed niece Hayley, as she pointed to some who were meandering by the table.
It had been almost a year since we
last saw her family, at a big reunion in Bakersfield, and was the first time we
had visited their home. More hugs and goodbyes, as we left James behind and continued
on to Bakersfield where we’d be staying with my sister and brother-in-law over
the weekend.
Al and I had a short visit with our gracious
hosts, but it had been a long day on the road and the next one would also be
full, with a brunch at the home of dear friends in Porterville, a Celebration
of Life service in Springville, and dinner that evening with my brother and his
wife back in Bakersfield. More wonderful reunions!
When planning the trip to
California, it so happened that the Celebration of Life service for Barbara
Otter was to be held while we were in the area. Barb was greatly admired in the
community of Springville, and also by us. In spite of some setbacks, she had a
way of looking at the bright side of life.
Many people shared special memories
of her at the service, most remembering her gift of laughter! It was good being
back in Springville, reconnecting with former neighbors and celebrating Barb’s
life.
Small bags were given in her memory
to those in attendance. Each bag contained a daffodil bulb, a hand-made paper
daffodil, and a tag with the words: “Plant this bulb in loving memory of
Barbara Otter who lived her life in a bright and Daffy-Dilly way!” She would
have liked that!
In addition to laughter being good “medicine”
for us as we journey through life, there is the promise of laughter and joy in the
future when we are reunited with Jesus and our loved ones in Heaven. God is
good!
“Looking at his disciples, he said:
‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you
who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for
you will laugh.’”
Luke 6:20-21NIV
Comments
Post a Comment