The 'Flashing' of Life

Life Flashing before my eyes.. Larson Style.  In the last 7 short days I have experienced highs and lows, laughter and tears, life and death.  I know most of all of us  have weeks like this, but  last  week was  my turn.

On Tuesday August 9th my Aunt Marie passed away unexpexectedly at the age of 87. She was loved and will  be missed of course by family and friends.  We all grieve and are sad for our loss, but celebrate her arrival to Heaven where she is  reunited with family,  friends, and  most importantly JESUS.  This  is the paradox of the Christian experience where the lines between death and life (the eternal type) are experienced  by those who love the Lord.

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Then Friday morning August 10th my long awaited (9+ months) expected third granddaughter Reagan Holland Larson arrived. 

​This of course is the best kind of  news, and  holding her  the following  morning was a perfect  healing touch for my grieving heart.

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BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.. Over these same 7 days my wife's family was in town for a reunion.  There are six siblings in the Laun family.. ages 83, 82, 79, 77, 60, while my wife is the itsy bitsy baby at  age 57. 

​All six siblings were here with  their spouses along with a smattering of kids and grandkids.  Activities included sight seeing, a picnic,  paddle boat ride on the Mississippi, and a (heart attack free )baseball game of sorts with players ranging from age 6 through 77. 

This was  a great time of  celebrating family and heritage. All are doing well and actually still like each other. 

​Health of all siblings is good,  but if some nefarious sort targeting senior citizens robbed us the highlight of their bootie would selling our hearing aides on the black market... or random senior homes.  The only negative me spending that  many days with Mary's family is that I ate waaay too much. I know, I don't have to eat so much, but.. mind your own business.

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So there you  have it, what a week. Life Flashing before my eyes? .. or as Mufasa from the Lion King explains.. This  is the Circle of Life.  

Life is messy, including roller coaster moments wanting you  to exit the ride, or 'hurl'.  From birth through the family reunions to that day until this ride stops .. this  life is  a  gift from God.

May God bless each of  your lives  with joy in your journey. Remember always to love God and care for others.

​Jeff

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