Posted on by gettingofftheinterstate

When Daylight Fades

by Donna Poole

Today is the end.

How’d you like that for a dramatic opening? Okay, I know it isn’t the end of summer, but August 31 and Labor Day weekend have always seemed like summer’s last hurrah to me.

Not that I even noticed much of summer this year. Ross Ellet, my favorite meteorologist, says 2021 is Toledo’s second hottest summer since people began keeping records in 1873.  I did notice the heat and the humidity. Our antenna TV picks up the Toledo stations and “tropical” is a word we heard a lot about the weather this summer. I felt the heat as I staggered from house to car to go for my chemo treatments. We saw the haze over corn and bean fields as we traveled. I remembered how the blacktop used to bubble and stick to my flipflops on hot days and wondered if the roads were the same now, but I was too tired to ask John. He drove me to my treatments and understood when I was too tired to talk. I felt bad about the wasted conversation time, but we held hands sometimes, and we were together.

If I were a child going back to school and the teacher asked how I’d spent my summer, I’d say, “getting chemotherapy, being sicker than the proverbial dog, and sleeping.”

If you’ve been walking this bumpy road with me, you know I have a refractory cancer, resistant to treatment. Morticia, my lung tumor, ate R-chop chemo for lunch and grew. She stubbornly survived radiation and GemOx chemo. John and I decided no more chemo once GemOx finished, and my oncologist agreed. So, after fourteen chemo treatments and eleven radiation sessions Morticia still lives.

 But I’m remaining in the drug trial for Epcoritamab, and it’s helping. Recent scans showed Morticia shrunk a bit, and perhaps my upcoming ones will show she has shrieked and melted like the wicked witch of the west!

With my last chemo a few weeks behind me, my brain is starting to wake. I notice the shorter days and feel sad. I don’t love summer’s extreme heat, but I do love long days filled with light. Ross Ellet says our next 7am sunrise won’t be until March 7, 2022. We’re losing three minutes of daylight every day.

I chase that daylight in my imagination and beg it to return.

One of my favorite verses says, “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” –Proverbs 4:18

The Berean Study Bible puts it this way, “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.”

When daylight fades from our view it’s getting light on the other side of the world. The sun is always shining somewhere, and when God trusts us to walk in the dark, we can be sure He’s holding our hands.

It’s interesting, I think, that there won’t be any darkness in heaven. “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” –Revelation 22:5

Until heaven comes, we will face times of darkness, of suffering, of loss, times when daylight fades. It helps then, I think, to turn our faces to the light we have, however dim.

It doesn’t take much light to brighten the darkness. That’s why I love the little electric candles in the windows of our old farmhouse. It’s why that commercial was such a success, “We’ll leave the light on for you.” We’re drawn to light.

Tom Bodett was a NPR personality when Motel 6 hired him in 1986 to be the voice for their commercials. He ad-libbed the line, “We’ll leave the light on for you,” while recording his first commercial. It became an instant and lasting success for over a quarter of a century. It won many awards. Advertising Age Magazine named it one of the 100 best ads of the twentieth century.

God always leaves a light on for us. When we turn our faces to God, we reflect His light, and we can leave the light on for others who are hurting and feeling alone in the darkness. I can’t think of a better reason for still being here and not over there where the daylight never fades.

At twilight time

34 Replies to “When Daylight Fades”

  2. Beautiful Friend. I love that in Heaven that He IS the light! And I to think about shorter days and it makes me sad. Maybe there’s a deeper meaning behind all of that too! Love you friend.

    1. I love you too, Lois. I hope you’re enjoying this week’s cooler weather and brilliant sunshine! That unclouded day is for sure coming!

  3. Thanks for reminding us to focus on the light- we pray daily that we might bring light to this dark world- praying daily for you!

  4. Donna, thank you for reminding me to look to His light…thank you for being a reflection of that Light. Praying for you now.

    1. Valerie, Thank you for reflecting that light so beautifully! And I deeply appreciate your prayers. God bless you and yours.

  5. Thank you Donna! “The Lord is my light, and my Salvation! Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength if my life. Of whom will I be afraid? Psalm 27:1,2 We love you and John!

  6. My dear friend, you’ve outdone yourself. Still look forward to the next thing you write after all these years. God has given you such a gift and you have faithfully shared it with so many in spite of the busy years of caring for your family, being a pastor’s wife and now going through such difficult health issues. Praying God’s continued blessings on you and yours. Love to you all.

    1. Karin, my long time faithful friend, thank you for still reading what I write! 🙂 God bless you and Pastor.

  7. Love love this my sweet friend. I ‘m extremely light conscious. I really enjoy this. Im so thankful He is always the light.

    1. Remember that old hymn, “The Unclouded Day”? Pastor Potter loved that one! Sending you a hug.

  8. I’m feeling a lot of what you’ve just mentioned with the daylight, etc. I truly hope Morticia is gone or nearly gone. God’s got your back

    1. Debbie, join my chant: Die, Morticia, Die! I almost, but not quite, feel sorry for her. She’s lived with me a long time now. If she just didn’t have such sharp teeth!Thanks for your encouragement.

  10. Donna, what a shining light you are to others! I love reading your stories. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
    Hugs to you and John.

  11. Wow. My August was so full of birthdays [I had at least three myself]. ;-/

    Thank you, Donna… that scripture is so dear…. My dear man of 65 years quotes that frequently as he goes over and over his yellow stack of memory cards. He stays at them, though he struggles more and more and often his head drops while rehearsing them…

    I spend so much of the day and night [3:33 am ] praying for so many of our beloved ones, Former church family, our long list of grands (34+ 22), greats (50+1) and now three great, greats … each one with their own very special needs….

    Many FB acquaintances with such needy hearts and sick bodies. Please know dear one that you are on my list and lifted high and I am so thankful for your sweet heart for minustry,,,

    1. Jane, I have long admired your prayer ministry, and it’s wonderful to be on your list. Thank you, from my heart. God bless you and your many, many loved ones!

  12. Your pieces read like warm biscuits. I always find myself thinking, “I wish I could sit down and talk with that couple.”

    So some day soon, if you are up to it, I would love so much to drive down for a short visit. I will understand if you are not feeling up to it. If I cannot I will still very much enjoy your writing, even when it make me cry and makes my heart ache.

    I, too love the wonderful passage from Proverbs. If I get to visit I will tell you the moment it became a favorite of mine. It’s a great story.

    1. Pastor Ken, the feeling is mutual, because I love your writings too. When the doctor clears me for visitors, we’d love a visit from you. Right now he still says family only. I hope that will change soon. God bless you and your ministry! And God bless Lois! We loved reading your anniversary thoughts.

  14. That was a wonderful message and a great read to start my day. You are a true testament to Gods love and a definite light in my life. Thank you. Take care and God bless you always. Love you 🙏😘🙏

    1. Linda, thank you for your encouragement and love. I love you too. God bless you and yours!

  15. Dear Donna,
    I love your stories. Here in Alaska, the daylight too is getting shorter each day. I look at what God has for you and our daughter Renee and see the spiritual growth because of it. Makes my health challenges seem so small in comparison but doesn’t help to lessen my pain!
    Love you and continue sharing, I need it to help get through the hard days.
    Ruthie

    1. Ruth, I’m glad if God uses my writing to help you through the hard days. I’m sorry for your pain. We know God uses pain, but that doesn’t make it easy! Love and hugs.

  16. Yet another lovely, inspiring piece, Donna. Thank you so much. You and John are ever in my prayers.

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