Time Will Tell

My grandfather was 83 years old when he died last week.  Eighty three....That seems like a long time to live to some, and certain doctors and nurses told my mom as much when they were discussing his health with her.  Is it?  Well, that all depends on your view of time.  Do you consider our time here on earth as "doing time" or " the time of your life"?  Was he ready to go?  I don't know.  He was tired, yes, but READY?  I don't think so.  You see, this is how my grandfather viewed time....

When he and my grandma moved here last year, my mom spent many of her days helping out at their house.  She often complained of the time it took my grandma to get herself ready in the morning.  The process apparently took hours!  On one such occasion, my mom said to my grandpa, "Boy, mom sure does take a long time to get dressed!"  But when my grandpa heard this, he said, "Yes, but when she comes out, IT'S WORTH IT!"  Wow--what a testament to the enduring love and affection felt from a husband toward his bride of 64 years!

On the flip side, my grandpa had been very sick for some time, and worse, no one could really diagnose what exactly was causing all of his health problems.  On the morning that he passed, a CT scan revealed a large tumor on one of his kidneys.  When my mother told him of the diagnosis, he sadly declared, "Well, I guess this is the end of me." 

No, Grandpa!  This is the beginning of you!  Here, where time crawls and time eludes and time flies and time sometimes stands still (as it did that morning)--this time is coming to an end, but the promise of forever and a time that does not end, awaits my grandpa.  Surely,  in heaven he is having the time of his life!  "For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night."--Psalm 90:4.   This verse has profound meaning, not only because of the element of time, but you see, my grandpa was blind, too, and in heaven, he will see clearly what could only be felt here on earth. 

He has passed from this world where so many of us spend our days as if we're doing time, waiting out the minutes and hours.  Not me:  I want to be very careful how I live--"not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."  I miss my grandpa, but he gave me a great gift.  He loved my grandma and he loved me, and I live knowing that one day, I too, will enjoy a new beginning.  Let's live like we are having the time of our lives!