May Open Spaces

 

Open Spaces

Vol. 21.5

May 21, 2021

 

May is the month when spring seems to finally get fully engaged. Things are
growing and the world is filled with something my mother called the new green. Life surrounds us daily.

Though news tells us that this pandemic we have endured is reducing its hold on us, I am reminded, not gently, that it has not left our day to day lives. Last month we lost an acquaintance, a step-son to a dear friend, to the disease. This month COVID’s cold fingers have struck a member of my own family. Many, including myself, had diligently prayed for the recovery of a niece. For eleven days she suffered and at last passed from our realm to the next.

We, as a family, must now deal with a new hole torn into our lives, a brilliant point of light separated from us too soon. Sadly it is an event that occurs far too often. It is important to remember that with each loss, be it COVID, Cancer, a traffic fatality, or any other cause, touches roughly the lives of their families, their friends, and all who knew them. The numbers of those devastated is far greater than the quantity listed.

So as we continue in this season of rebirth, let us appreciate those that share our space...our lives. Let us respect the fragility of their existence. Let us see opportunities to help secure their protection in ways we can. Is it not an act of love to do so? Would turning our back upon doing the little things, which could have cascading effects upon others, not be acts of selfishness?

That is why I am vaccinated. Yes, it offers me protection, but it is a small thing I can do that could help others...protect others. It is why I, in most cases, yet continue to wear my mask, just as I have for all these months. I do so for two reasons. One: maybe it offers some health benefit. Two: I believe strongly in the power of example.

I do not see the mask as a sign of submission, but a symbol of caring about others...a symbol of love. I wear a mask to remind the world that COVID has not simply vanished...it is too soon to be forgotten.

In my family, as in so many others, we will NEVER forget COVID and the price it extracts...the price it can demand.

I apologize to you today for what some might believe is simply a rant. But I write these words thirteen hours after news reached my ears of our family’s tragedy. It is a wound fresh, the blood yet flows.

Yet I try to remain optimistic, surely Patti would hope I would remain so. I have confidence that though COVID remains, for now, it is not a forever curse. So I eagerly await for the bane of this pandemic to end.

Friends I believe it will.

Now for some lighter news. I continue on the revise of the third book in the Misty Creek series. At present the greatest hindrance is finding the time. I have at last come to a point where things seem to be moving forward more smoothly. Though I have yet to reach the mid-point of the manuscript I feel that the four months spent has not been wasted. For the first time since I began this revision I feel confident in the endeavor,

Friends I have run long again, so I will bring this installment to a close. It is my prayer that you and your loved ones are well. That this season of new life offers grand opportunities and new experiences. May God, the Master and Controller of all things keep you safe until we meet.

Blessings,

John

Looking for a copy? Check out these links.

https://www.amazon.com/Misty-Creek-John-Vander-Velden/dp/1641110651

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/misty-creek-john-w-vander-velden/1127857944

https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeths-Journey-Sequel-Misty-Creek/dp/1641115319

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elizabeths-journey-john-vander-velden/1135154629

Just Not Today

 

Just Not Today

By John Vander Velden

This week has had its own flavor. I suppose every week does. There are weeks of our lives that are sweet. Some that leave a sour taste, and others that carry a bitterness. One thing is for certain, for us that stay connected to the life around us, things are rarely bland for long.

But in our family we have been walking on eggshells for several days. Sending our prayers of concern and love heavenward. Hoping that somehow the tide would turn, that the waves that sweep along the life of someone we loved would place her safely on our shore. These past days have been tense. And on Thursday the week’s flavor resembled the bile that none care to taste.

With each passing week, we watch as COVID’s reach is trimmed a tiny bit. Yet the virus strikes and leaves devastation in its wake. Illness comes most often unexpected, certainly unwanted. Even the best efforts to keep it outside our door are not always effective. Perhaps it will, before this pandemic ends, roughly touch every family.

It has touched ours.

It has left its mark that cannot be erased by those that continue on.

Confusion is not the emotion I feel with the passing, of one of the sparkling lights, of Jackie’s family. The past week, it seemed, we stood as if watching a train moving passed, coveting the bits of news...hoping for one turn in in a better direction. But it seemed the train was bound for a different station than we would have chosen. She reached that platform Thursday evening.

Comforted that her destination was not some void of emptiness. She was a woman of faith. Faith in her family. Faith in herself. But in the end faith in her God and the promises He had made her. Many do not understand the power of faith. The strength found there.

But knowing her present existence does not eliminate our present pain. For you see all those that knew her...all those that loved her...are held separate from the warmth and love she had provided us. Confidence in her ultimate home does not relieve the suffering of those closest...those whose lives were bound most securely with hers. Those who, must create a new everyday.... Their lives have been upended, torn to shreds, with little physically to show for the pain they suffer. Parting’s pain is real. Loss is something no one yearns to be part of their...long...lonely...empty days.

How do those closest move onward with the bitter taste so strong and fresh?

One day at a time.

Faith helps. But God understands that faith does not eliminate the pain of the broken human connection. God understands our needs...our hopes...our wants. Loss’s pain is real! Tears are not the indication of faith’s lacking...they are the signs of the depth of loves existence.

Jesus’ words...Blessed are those that morn, for they will be comforted, once left me confused. But I have, over the years, learned a few things. We are unable to morn what we have not lost...and we cannot lose what we did not have.

Those whose hearts have been broken by this tragedy. Those that knew Patti best. Those whose lives she had touched. Her husband, her children, her brother, her co-workers, her close family, we will one day know we were indeed blessed because we have the reason to morn...the blessing of sharing this world for a time with an amazing person.

One day we will understand how blessed we are.

Just not today.

(594 Words) 5-22-2021