the circle of life

yesterday was one of those rare experiences where you find yourself serving as witness to the precious last moments of the life of another. most of our immediate family had the privilege, and i do mean privilege, of sharing dave's father's last hours together.

the hospital called and told us that dad corlew was no longer responding and they thought we needed to come immediately. so, throwing off covers and throwing on clothes, and after making calls to family members while brushing teeth and getting ready, we rushed off to be at dad's bedside.

for the next 6 hours we sat in dad's room and talked and cried and reminisced and prayed and cried some more. we didn't know how long he would hold on but it was obvious that his body was tired and spent and that the end was near.

and so dad's number one prayer request - that he would fall asleep and wake up in heaven - was answered. he quietly slipped away leaving us very much aware of how great a debt was owed to a man who lived his life humbly and honestly, loving his wife, his children, and his savior. our lives were richer and our character stronger because of the choices, the million and one little choices he made, day after day, month after month, year after year.

i know that we tend to paint our loved ones with broad strokes of charity and good intentions in our remembrances of them - but for those who knew him, dad corlew doesn't need our help. he was a good man who lived a good life.

during the watching and waiting, dave and i made a quick trip two floors down to the hospital's maternity department. we visited with two new mommies and met their newborn sons. dave and i actually got to hold one of the boys for a few brief moments. how wonderfully fantastic to cuddle a tiny baby - to whisper in his ear how happy we were to finally meet him and grateful that he arrived safe and sound.

with that wee little one in my arms, i found myself overcome with emotion. i suddenly felt the very "realness" of the circle of life. there is birth and then death. and in the middle, there is life and living.

dad corlew's journey was almost over and tiny baby tristan's was just beginning. a vibrant reminder that we should live each day mindful that life is fragile and mortal - an encouragement to live life well, no matter how much time we may have left.

i couldn't help but think of Micah 6:8 - "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."