This week, Holy Week, can be a dark one for Christians, and it certainly is for the faithful at our church as a dear friend to all died today.
Here on the last day of the month, we have had a day like that described by Charles Dickens: “It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light and winter in the shade.”
Emotionally, we feel the same. In the dark of the shade, death is cold and we are forlorn, but when we move into the light of the Son, we see and feel the warmth. We mourn a death at the same time that we look forward to the resurrection. We grieve that a loved one is lost and yet that person’s statement of faith lets us know she was prepared for her mansion in heaven. She was an inspiring witness to that during her short illness.
The news came this morning: “Debbie is strolling the streets of gold in the arms of her Savior.” It is the bitter winter that her family feels right now; although, her witness assures that she is basking in the warmth of the Son.
We have an advantage over those mourners two thousand years ago. We know the end of the story. That doesn’t take the pain away, but it reminds us that no matter how long the winter, spring will come.
Just look around. The daffodils, sometimes called March flowers, that spent the winter buried as lifeless, brown, papery bulbs have popped out of the ground gold and glorious to create their own sunlight under the trees. As Lady Bird Johnson said, “Where flowers bloom so does hope.”
beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing
in the breeze.”
-William Wordsworth
Every day, we make choices that determine if we will stand in the shade or move into the light. We can be as consistent and persistent as the daffodil, or not, We have free choice.
Speaking of daffodils and choices:
Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards wrote about a five-acre garden in California that looked like a vat of gold had been poured on the hillside. The 50,000 daffodil bulbs were planted by one woman. The story became known as The Daffodil Principle. It is worth reading. Google will bring up numerous references, but my favorite is set to Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique at llerrah.com/daffodilprinciple.htm
Celebrations at Cedar Hill 
I’m feeling déjà vu right now. My dear husband , like Debbie, could not survive his disease. I watched him breathe his last breath and saw God’s huge gracious hands deliver him from agony. I couldn’t help but rejoice that he got his reward . Every time I feel the cold winter shade, I remember that moment of his release and I step into the Sonshine.
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Love your writings! Always have…
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