Soon we’ll be in Huntington Beach again gathering for my BIL’s services and funeral. As we age we face the reality that family gatherings contrast dramatically between joy and sorrow. The last time I was in Southern California my time was divided between the Critical Care hospital waiting room and a beautiful setting at a joyful baby shower for a much anticipated arrival come January, a new grand niece.
I will do a full post on the lovely baby shower in the future.
This time when we head to Southern California more of us will gather around my sister and her kids as we lay Nick to rest at the Riverside National Cemetery. We don’t grieve as those who have no hope. We have hope and confidence that God has prepared a place for Nick. We will hug old friends and the Russians among us will welcome each other with a kiss.
When I was spending time in the waiting room at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills my eyes were opened to other families in the waiting room and how similar different cultures are at these critical times. Our first night at Cedar’s there was a Hispanic extended family taking up every chair and some on the floor of the waiting area. At least 20 or more. They vacated some chairs so my sister and I could sit down, too. As some of them left to go home they went around to each of their friends and family and gave them a hug and a kiss on the cheek. They even turned to us and gave us a kind farewell. The longer we sat together the more connected we became. The matriarch of the family offered us some food. She also shushed any of the younger folk who’s chatter got to loud. When we left we said goodbye and God Bless you. Their eyes lit up and they smiled and said God bless you, too.
We were glad the waiting room had large windows that made the space feel lighter.
We all find ourselves in a variety of waiting rooms throughout our lives. What are you waiting for? What is your hope?
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. Psalm 33:22
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5:5
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Excellent post, Ellen. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Kathy
So thankful for hope! Love all the lovely verses you shared.
Praying for comfort for your family. It is definitely true that as we age, each get together looks different!
Such a thoughtful and hopeful post Ellen – I’m praying for your family in your time of grief – may you sense the Lord’s presence and His peace. xo
All I can say is “Amen”, Ellen. God bless you as you celebrate your brother in law’s life.
Ellen this is the most beautiful post. I teared up in imagining the Hispanic family sharing and connecting with you in that waiting room. Will continue to pray for your dear Vera and her family and for your family as well as you spend time together in the days to come.
A beautiful post, Ellen. In recent years, I have come to treasure the hope we have in Christ more and more. Hope not only for the world to come, but for this present world. Hope for peace and comfort, hope for strength, hope for joy. He is our hope. Blessings to you.
God Bless ea and every one of you, ellen…xoxo
Praying for you and your family as you go through this time! Safe travels …
Prayers for your family.
Amen! Thank you for such a lovely post. God bless you Ellen.
I sorry for you loss, but happy for your hope and love and family strength. I have had similar experiences in Hospital waiting rooms … At times like those we all share a common bond.
Joy and sorrow are both a part of life.
You are right! Thanks for taking the time to write about this; I know you are busy these days but it is so good for us to be reminded.
Even as I am sad for the loss to your sister and her family, I am thankful to know that they all share in this wonderful hope we have. That is something very special your family shares and
I know it will bring you all closer together in these next days that, without this hope, would be so sad. God bless you.
Interesting observation about family gatherings and always true, though the sense of it becomes more acute with age. Praying for your family’s time together to be a loving celebration of your brother-in-law’s life on this earth.
May God bless you as you gather together to remember and honor your BIL’s life. So glad we do have THAT hope…
Blessings, Aimee
Beautiful, poignant post. So sorry for your family’s lost but as you so beautifully point out, we do not lose our loved one who are in Christ but have assurance they have just gone on ahead of us. May your family rest in that joy.
You ask interesting questions. I’m not sure I have answers.