Saturday, August 7, 2010

Sailing...

Nine months ago my brother's best friend, Craig, passed away after a long battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Craig and Cal had been friends for many years, often inseparable...and when Craig left his earthly body to stand next to our Lord Jesus Christ, Cal was heartbroken...

...The past nine months had been extremely painful for my brother.  He missed his best friend terribly, he shed countless tears and struggled with the "whys" and the "I don't understands"...

Three weeks before my brother's death he was at our mother's home and Craig's father came by to pick up a piece of furniture that he had bought from our parents....

...it was the first time Cal had seen Craig's dad since Craig's funeral.  It was too much for Cal to handle, and he left.  The next day Cal went into the hospital...

...the night that my brother passed away, July 29th, nine days ago...I had a dream...

...I dreamed that our family, our parents, our sisters, our aunts, our uncles, our grandparents, my brother's children, my children, my brother's wife, our friends...we all stood along the shore of the ocean, waving...waving to my brother, who stood on the deck of the most beautiful boat...a boat so big, freshly painted, gleaming in the light of the sun...Cal was the only passenger on the boat, and he stood waving to us, blowing us kisses...

...we stood on the shore, tears streaming down our faces, waving passionately as the boat began to set sail...we were sad.

And in my dream as I stood on the shore, sobbing painful cries, waving good-bye to my brother, I looked past the boat...

...and I saw another land...beautiful white sand....crystal clear water gently washing up on the shore of this land that seemed so far away, and yet close enough for us to barely see....

...and there, on the land where the boat that carried my brother would sail to, was a young man...jumping up and down, waving his arms high in the air....full of excitement...yelling, "Yay!  Here he comes!!  He's coming, He's coming!!"....

...and as I squinted my eyes to make out who was awaiting my brother's arrival on that land I felt a sense of peace...

...it was Craig.  He was jumping for joy because he and my brother would be together again...

...once again, they become inseparable.


4 comments:

  1. This is such a lovely dream. May it give you peace and comfort.

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  2. Betsy- So touching,moving and powerful. How peaceful to know exactly where he is. He is whole and complete with his Savior side by side his best friend.WOW! I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my brother to cancer when he was only 23. Life is never the same. It's like I look at death with alot of excitment thinking I will see Christ and finally see my brother...free of pain. Its amazing to know we can cling to Christ in the moments when we feel we can't get though the day because we feel our hearts are filled with sorrow and pain. He always sends us a little something(dreams ect) to remind us we can make though and we will see them again.You all are in my prayers. I think of you, your Mother and family often.Thank you for sharing this story.
    Catherine C

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  3. That is so sweet Betsy. I'm sure Craig was there to greet him in Heaven and showing him around. Cal is in the best place one could hope to be. It's sad for those who miss him here on earth, but your separation is temporary. What a comfort to know that you will meet again on the other side! Which reminds me of a song I know called "On the Other Side" by Dailey & Vincent. I think you should take a few minutes and listen. It will bring you to a happy place for Cal. It is about someone who has a dream of someone who passed on. I just saw this band live on Friday. Please listen. (it's safe - no banjos!) It sounds like it was written about you and Cal. I hope it brings you peace. I love you Betsy!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556E2_S52i4

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  4. There is nothing so comforting as knowing deep down in your soul that the people you love are waiting there to welcome you home. blessings, marlene

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