Dancing in Heaven?

 

Just before Thanksgiving, our daughter Shanda peacefully slipped away after courageously battling cancer for several years. Her life and determination inspired all who knew her.

Shanda’s Celebration of Life service was held about a month later. Unfortunately, I was sick at the time and couldn’t attend it or the reception following. Al was able to participate in the service, but didn’t stay for the reception afterward.

Al and I also missed all of the family gatherings around the holidays. When Chris, our son-in-law, recently invited us to their house one evening to visit, we accepted eagerly.  It was good to connect with him again, in addition to seeing the video loop and picture boards from the reception that showcased Shanda’s life. Al and I also looked through the guest registry, recognizing the names of many of our friends who attended that morning.

We three talked, shared stories about Shanda and cried together. Being able to spend time with her, especially during the last months of her life, had a profound impact on me. Knowing how active she had been just a short time before and then seeing the progression of the Leptomeningeal disease as it began to move more rapidly through her brain was very difficult.

 Chris’ love and devotion for Shanda was evident, taking care of her around the clock when she was no longer able to walk and had to be confined to a hospital bed. Al and I were grateful for his commitment to keep her at home and give her the best care possible.

 Sometimes we would watch TV with her—tennis tournaments were among her favorites. We also reminisced about hikes and trips we had taken together in the past and occasionally sang familiar songs or shared a verse from the Bible.

Al liked singing a portion of scripture from Isaiah 40:31, a little song that he used to sing to Shanda when she was very young. “They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”

Whenever we asked Shanda if we could pray with her, she’d always say “sure!” And she would try to give us a hug when it was time to say good-bye. Good-byes were tough! Then we would walk out of her room, one or both of us wiping the tears away from our eyes.

One morning I happened to be standing at the foot of her bed, rubbing lotion on her feet when I noticed that she was very quiet.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked.

“I was just thinking about getting a new pair of shoes,” came her surprising response.

Then it was my turn to be quiet. A new pair of shoes? I looked down on those motionless feet, feet that would never touch the ground again.

“Well, I don’t think you will be needing a new pair of shoes, Shanda. Unless, you want some dancing shoes to wear when you’re in heaven…maybe ballet slippers…or tap shoes?”

Shanda had taken tap dancing lessons many years prior, something she said she had always wanted to do. I could picture her dancing in heaven, free from her earthly body, and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. She smiled.

            On the morning of her service, I turned on the computer and watched as it was livestreamed from the church sanctuary. A string quartet made up of her colleagues and friends from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra played “Simple Gifts” from Copeland’s Appalachian Spring for the prelude. Al and I used to sing the hymn “Lord of the Dance” to the same melody:

“Dance then wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance,’” said He, “and I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you on in the dance,’ said He.” (Sidney Carter, 1963)  

Needless to say, the computer keys were wet with my tears, and that was only the prelude!

God, through His grace and mercy, carried us all through that very difficult time. Now He is comforting us as we cope with the reality of her departure. I can rejoice in knowing that Shanda is with the Lord in Heaven and am thankful for all He has done for our family. Maybe one of these days, I’ll buy a pair of tap shoes! 

“David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all of his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” (2 Samuel 6: 14-15 NIV)