Ecclesiastes 5:18-20(NIV) 18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
1985 David decided to commercial fish with our neighbour. I am sure the work was horrendous and long and the pay not what he was expecting. It was so quiet in the house as he was the last one to leave, 17, graduated and busy with life. One day he came home and said "Here, Mum, here's $100 go buy what ever you wish for your garden". He was my gardening buddy, taking out trees, pruning with a chain saw. Just wholehearted about everything.
I ordered lily bulbs, all the fancy ones I ever wanted. The unique different kinds; the smelling trumpets, the Asiatics, the spectacular colours. I spent it all and probably more. Then came the planting in the spring, each in a corner grouped together. I was enjoying watching them sprout and trying to remember what I had planted where. Then came that fateful day May 8th or 9th, 1986 depending on whether you count the declared death day or the harvest transplant team coming from Vancouver and David was no longer here with us. Taken because of drinking and driving, two men dead and one to struggle with the survivor guilt. The two who died were the drinkers, but the other was still part of the tragedy of lives ended too soon. What good can come of this I ask my God? Two kidneys were retrieved and two corneas, 4 lives changed and hopefully they became a blessing to their worlds. Letters from the surgeons indicated that the transplants were a success and from that day to this they have a process in place in Victoria to harvest organs.
The lilies bloomed that year and continue to grow and bloom all these years later. Many more types and scents and colours. Some as tall as the eves troughs in the new home we moved to a few years later. Of course the lilies came with us, bulblets from the adults, to waft their scent in this new garden. Reminding me that life continues on, that the pain diminishes but never leaves.
Over the years the lilies have been bouquets to glorify God, to bless new brides and grooms, to celebrate anniversaries, to strengthen a wounded heart, many gifts to those who struggle with their lives. They make me smile and as the smell wafts over the garden in the evening I thank God for the fragrance of a life with such tender memories.
Then there are the other bulbs, that light up our streets at Christmas. Such a special time as we celebrate the birth of the One who came to a manger. Aging is a process and the dexterity of climbing up and hanging from the porch railings is becoming a hazard. There is another young man who delights in sharing himself with Grandma, Mike, who's heart is full of love and service. "Mike" I say, by text, "Can you give me a hand". The lights are hung and I sit and smile in the evening as they twinkle and flash, to give this one such pleasure in the quiet darkness.
Oh and did I mention he cleaned the eves troughs of all the maple leaves. So many blessings and so much to be thankful for.
The lives changed through organ donation are not all that bore fruit, Gaye. You let your pain grow into a gift that helps other grieving parents move through their darkest days. I don't know, but my guess is that it is not easy to go back into that valley the way that you do. It doesn't bring Dave back, but it gives meaning to what could have been a senseless loss. God bless. Jo
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