by Donna Poole
Our adorable four-year-old granddaughter, Ruby, hurried to meet John and me as we carried our chairs to the bonfire. She glanced back at our car and asked about missing family members. We explained.
Ruby looked at the people already gathered in the yard and asked, “Is this all that’s coming?”
We nodded.
“Well, that’s a short number.” Ruby thought for a minute and added, “But if we all end up going inside, it won’t feel like a short number!”
We laughed. No, Ruby, if we had ended up inside the seven adults and five kids would have felt like a much longer number!
I’ve been grinning about that “short number” all week, ever since last Monday night’s wonderful meal and bonfire at our son and daughter-in-law’s house. They agreed to wear masks even outside so I could come.
“We’ll wear hazmat suits if we have to to see you,” our son said.
The two C’s, Covid and cancer, and my team of doctors have grounded me for a year, and I used to think my mother was strict!
You don’t even want to hear the list of my restrictions, but I’ll just say this. Even now, fully immunized against Covid, I’m only allowed to see family and even they must mask up. In my world the inside of churches, stores, and restaurants no longer exists, and I miss my friends so much I feel a physical ache.
My body imposes its own restrictions on me. You’re going to clean, cook, converse, write, read, watch a movie, and make phone calls today? Good luck with that! Have fun waking up! And then I sleep another twenty hour stretch and hope for a Rip Van Winkle reprieve the next day.
If I let myself think that way, life could feel like a “short number” right now. But it isn’t. It’s still a long number.
Have you noticed how many things are a matter of perspective? I know the optimism thing can get a bit ridiculous, like one of my favorite jokes. Before I share it, I must digress.
I was telling family my memorial service wishes the other day, for two months from now or twenty years later down these rambling back roads.
“I don’t want a traditional funeral, just a memorial service. Maybe there could be coffee and donuts on the back table at church, just like there used to be at the church services I loved so much. Sing lots of songs about heaven. No long sermon, just have someone talk about how to know Jesus. John, I don’t want you to feel you must do it; it might be too hard. I’d love to have our church board members oversee my memorial service. I love them, and they know and love me. Do you think they would do it?”
John hugged me. “You could ask them.”
“They can say whatever they want, and anyone else there can too. Maybe someone can tell my favorite jokes.”
“Mom! Your favorite jokes?” Kimmee looked startled.
Now I’ll stop digressing and tell you my favorite optimist joke. An optimist fell out of a nineteenth story window. As he passed the ninth-floor window, on the way to the ground, people heard him shouting, “So far, so good!”
We laugh at that joke. We laugh because it’s ridiculous, absurd, and wonderful.
Life might look like a short number for me right now, but I’m shouting, “So far, so good!”
I’m blessed with a super abundance of caring family and friends who pray me and help me through every day.
The bonfire was perfect. I sat there watching the leaping flames, loving the faces of our family, hearing the kids laughing and playing on the lighted trail in the woods, and feeling the warmth of the fire on my face. I wanted to stay forever because I knew what we should all remember; every time may be the last time, and life is too short for anything but love.
We had to say goodbye and go our separate ways, but we have the blessing of that memory to cherish forever, and we have something even more precious than that.
When John Wesley, the great circuit riding preacher was dying, he said, “Best of all, God is with us.”
Because God is with us, life is never a short number.
Oh my sweetest friend😍, how I love this and yes ” so far so good” ❤❤❤❤
I love you so much!! 😍
Maria,
Even in the pain you’re going through you take time to encourage me and many others. Love you! God bless!
You can’t imagine how it warms my heart to read your words and in them hear your voice and see your smile. There are a multitude of us that miss you to tears. You have taught me so much…with and without words. Thank you!! I love you!!
Martha,
Thanks for encouraging me so many times with your words and actions. I’m looking forward to warmer weather and an occasional outside service so I can see all your wonderful faces! Love you.
You are so special Mrs. Poole & I am grateful for you! Your spirit reminds me of that of Stephen in Acts 7 when he says:
“ 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
The Lord is so real to you particularly in His love, & mercy. His Spirit is evident in you just as in Stephen and it’s a benefit to all who know you & glory to God who sustains you!
Jeremiah,
Yesterday you were a little boy. Today you have a little boy. Tomorrow you’ll be a grandpa. It all happens so fast! I’m glad you’re living for the Lord. Thanks for encouraging me. God bless you and yours!
Again I feel I’m right there with you. I’m sitting beside you watching the flames rise. Watching your loved ones… And feeling loved too. I know your presence will have added to that special time by the camp fire. I see everyone’s . smiling faces….. And I see your lovely smile… And suddenly its not about shortbess of time but thinking of eternity where there shall be endless laughter….. Above us, we shall see our beloved Savious face….. Smiling right back at us.
Thx again for a beautiful story….. And one that made my heart smile. Hugs
Jennifer,
To make a reader hear, see, and feel is a writer’s dream, so thank you. God bless you and yours!
Oh, Donna, what more can I say? Your writing and sharing your steadfast faith through it, touches me so very deeply.
Several years ago we used to camp at the same campground as my dear brother and sister-in-law. Sitting around the campfires was the best. Conversation and laughter was abundant and there’s nothing I can think of to compare the relaxation as we shared stories and jokes around the fire. They have both gone on ahead of me and I miss them so much. My brother was my only sibling. I’m so blessed to have wonderful memories of him and I look forward to seeing him again. Your article really brought that feeling back to me. Thank you, dear, dear friend! I love you and continue to pray for you❤️🙏❤️🙏🏽
Jean,
Maybe we’ll get to enjoy campfires in eternity, if not in heaven, perhaps in the new earth! If not, surely the fellowship will be even sweeter. So you have a brother in heaven and I have a sister. I wonder if they’ve met each other yet? God bless you, my friend.
You did it again! You write, I read and then through the tears you think I can write a comment! My dear friend, I love you and yours and pray for His continued grace to walk each step, faithfully. In the light of eternity this part is truly a short number. Praying we will all finish well, leaving a goodly heritage. God’s richest blessings. Love and prayers.
Dear Karin,
Yes! To finish well! And then comes the forever after, and it will be beyond our best dreams. We love you and pastor. God bless.
This really spoke to my heart, Donna. I especially am blessed by one of your statements toward the end: “Every time may be the last time; life is too short for anything but love.” Our two adult daughters and their husbands all have covid right now. They are feeling dreadful but are recovering little by little, praise God. But of course, as their mama, I have been concerned and praying more than usual for all of them. So, when I read your beautiful post, I was immediately moved by the statement you wrote above. You are so right. We never do know when a thing will be “the last time.” May we never forget the shortness of this earthly life; and may we, as well, always remember the hope of having an eternal home in heaven (which looks sweeter and sweeter as the days go by). Once again, thank you so much for blessing my life with your beautiful words, my friend.
Deborah,
I hope your daughters and families are all recovering well from Covid. Even the plagues of Egypt left eventually!
Thank you for encouraging me. God bless you!
Donna, I am in awe of you and your strong faith. You have taught me so much in your writings. The Lord will sustain you. “Be still, and know that I am God!” I love you very much! 💕💕
Nancy,
Thank you for that verse! I love it and you! God bless.
You are always an encouragement- thank you for the effort it takes to write these ramblings each week! May we always reflect on our blessings and know that God gives grace for the problems! Sending hugs to you! David and Susan Blazer
Susan and David,
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Let’s keep walking each other Home! God bless you and yours.
Thanks Donna. Rachel and Pray for you and John daily that he will fill you with His Grace and Strength as you pass through these deep faith-testing waters. Heaven is looking better every day!
Fred,
Heaven does look better every day! We also appreciate the sweet blessings of earth more each day too! We’ve been praying your papers would be in order in time for your visit to the states. God bless you and Rachel!
Donna, you are truly an inspiration. This is so beautifully written and I see your wonderful heart through these words.
Jenny,
Thank you! Love you. God bless.
And when we go Home and meet again around a heavenly bonfire (complete with s’mores and comfortable swings and no masks) we will be able to sit and visit for as long as we want as the number of loved ones left on earth dwindles yo a small number. You are such a blessing and I’m glad to have you in my life…here on earth and beyond. ❤️
Louise,
I’m so glad God let our paths cross. That was no accident. You’re a blessing to us and so many others. God bless you! Love and hugs.