Gloryteller

                                    To Remember Uncle Ed

Uncle Ed is my wonderful wife’s uncle and my wonderful uncle by marriage.

It was during the long drive between the airport and the country home of his departed sister’s family that I had the privilege to get to know Uncle Ed and Aunt Jane on a deeper level. I had volunteered to retrieve them from the airport so that they could attend his sister’s (my dear mother-in-law’s) funeral. It had been a tough flight from Birmingham with long waits, including nearly an hour waiting on the tarmac in the stiflingly hot plane. That added up to a long day for all of us.

However, as we drove west toward the hot June sun, we commiserated and mourned, talked and laughed, and formed a close bond. We shared family stories, told jokes and anecdotes, and we shared stories of our faith in the Lord.

The conversation and fellowship was so good that the weary miles melted away. I’ll never forget that trip with Ed and Jane.

Going back about eight years ago, Ed had found out that I had been diagnosed with a type of cancer that he had also had a difficult struggle with. I was scheduled for surgery, but had a two-month wait before the procedure. He took it upon himself to call me several times to reassure me, comfort me, advise me, and make sure that I knew I was not alone in my struggle. He was compassionate and kind and sincerely concerned. He was lovingly humorous. I laughed. I felt better. He made me happy just by his caring words. I’m certain that he sent forth many prayers in my behalf. What a great example of a human being. Thank you, Uncle Ed, I will never forget that! The remarkable thing is that, at that time, I was not a fellow believer with Ed and had no redemption nor salvation – yet. That miracle would not happen for another five months in 2004.

Uncle Ed knew that he was a son of The King. That was extremely important and comforting to him. He is with our Father even now – at Home.

He also knew his home here was temporary. Now he is in his permanent residence which was prepared especially for him. I believe that he is in his newly glorified state, eternally happy and joyously walking with our Father God and His Son, our older Brother. Those are my beliefs and my strong hope and I stand upon them forever.

That is of great comfort to me, however difficult it is to contend with this earthly grief. I groan for you, Jane. I weep and mourn at your/our seeming loss. But his love is still with us, for death can’t erase love. Not ever. There is no power that can separate us from the God kind of love………

Here’s the thing: Despite his own struggles, Uncle Ed made people happy. In the quiet of the evening, I realize that he is doing that even still.