Not until my husband was struck down with his
Aneurysm did we discover his cousin lived
Just two plus hours away.
They hadn't seen each other for decades, but
When Reggie walked into the
Hospital room, Min called him his boyhood
Name and began speaking in their long ago
Chinese dialect.
How curious is the brain!
Min's short term memory was gone, but his
Embedded one was intact.
Soon enough Reggie helped with the
Funeral arrangements, and afterwards he
Included our little family with his.
We crossed the Ohio River on a ferry to
Pick apples.
We hiked in the Hocking Hills.
We visited Kentucky's natural bridge.
These relatives gave my girls a taste of
Their Chinese heritage, and I was grateful.
Reggie and his wife Esther are moving to
Seattle to be near their son, and I said
Good-by to them today.
I had a chance to thank them face to
Face for being there for my girls and me in
Our grieving time.
I'm not sure whether I will ever see these
Caring friends again, so our parting was
Bittersweet.
God brings people into our lives when
We need them, and in His providence He
Removes them, moves them the length of a
Country away.
But it's okay.
They love Jesus too, and when I know our
Good-by isn't a forever one, it's okay.