80 Years of Life

We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Jacksonville. My dad celebrated his 80th birthday on Saint Patrick's Day, hence his nickname, "Pat," and my oldest brother's name, Patrick. Don't get the wrong idea here - I'm still the oldest of five siblings, Patrick just happens to be two years younger than myself, but still the oldest of my brothers. Now Ireland may be the Emerald Isle, and green may be the color of St. Patrick's Day, but I found out how they do it in Jacksonville. They turn the pollen loose this time of year, and my blue car was green the whole time we were there. (Another story.) The family gathering was great, and especially since none of us ever expected "Poppo" to make it to his 80th birthday. (That nickname for my father is again another story about which I'll write another time.) He has surprised us and the doctors once again. He has recently moved into a senior facility which will allow him to remain as independent as possible with some monitoring. And he seems to be doing very well. The gathering was at the dining hall of the facility, and included all of Patrick's family, Ben and his wife and daughter (their boys were unable to come), Karen and I (our boys were unable to come as well), and Cyndi, my brother John's wife. That points out that there were some obvious absences. David, our youngest brother, is in prison in Texas (yet another story). John, our next youngest brother, died in September of 2007, a little over a month shy of his 53rd birthday. And our mother, who died in May of 1992, shortly after her 63rd birthday, was perhaps missed more than ever. We all figured Mom would outlive Poppo by many years, because he was the one who was constantly plagued by heart problems, and she, always healthy. All this is to say that life is precious, but it is also short. It is something to be anticipated, but not something to be taken for granted. And life is in God's hands, therefore it should be lived to the fullest for Him and in His power, and in the grace of His salvation provided for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This celebration was a celebration of life, even amid the absences. God is Good!