gospel of aged thankfulness

A month away from 99 years old, with sad eyes and a cheerful heart, he looked at his sister-in-law and said, "It was a good life, wasn't it?"

And she, turning 102 later in the week looked back and responded with a solemn cheer, "It sure was."

The remaining two of a generation; smiling, reflecting.

The definition of good is hard to define. 

Uncle Taylor grew up fighting in WW II aboard the USS Nassau.  My grandmother Rachel had lost her life savings (in hopes of attending college) in the midst of the Great Depression.  She asks God regularly to just take her now so she can meet her mother, who died of complications giving birth to her.  102 years, and the pain and loss of not knowing one’s mother remains.  Taylor, having recently lost his wife, carries a great ache through his first set of holidays without his dear Theresa.    

“It was a good life, wasn’t it?”

It depends on your perspective of good I guess.

When you can look back over the course of your life, and you’re able to give thanks for the good that’s happened.  When you’re able to give thanks for the relationships you once had and those that you still have.  And when you’re able to give thanks in the midst of trial and heartache.  You can then turn to the person next to you and say…

“It sure was.”