Today I should be writing about an obituary from an ancestor, but as I searched for such I came across a prayer card that flooded me with memories. Forgive me for my rebel ways, but I need to see this one through. :-)
Prayer Card for Richard L. Haines.
The year was 2006, and the last time we had seen Uncle Dick he was raising a beer Heavenward in a friendly goodbye to his younger brother. The news of his loss had us reeling between my family and my husband's we had lost so many this year, my mother, Uncle John, and so many more. It just seemed a bad year to sustain life and the ceremonies were wearing on us. Trips to Pennsylvania and Indiana had us begging for reprieve. Yet, God would have it His way, no matter how much we prayed for the safety of those we love.
I have never been to a firefighter's funeral, and the ceremony quickly brought me to tears, yet swelled my heart with pride and love for all that Uncle Dick had done for his community. As the preacher wrapped up his portion of the ceremony someone held a radio, which crackled to life. It was dispatch informing all that Richard Haines had answered his final call. Tears sprang to my eyes and my heart beat a nervous rhythm as I realized that Uncle Dick was an angel on Earth and was now an angel in Heaven. He would be fine, he was used to the responsibility of such a position, but would the rest of us be okay? It was a question that had me pondering the process of grief. His wife, his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts ... would we all be okay?
Of course, we are okay, but not without an occasional intervention from above. After all, what would life be if we didn't sometimes need a little help from a guardian angel or two.
We miss Uncle John and Uncle Dick all the time, but pride in both of them helps us to understand why God needed them a little sooner than we were prepared to see them leave.
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