The Trail Ahead
The Trail Ahead
The kids and I went to REI yesterday to get new hiking boots. Today we put them to use on the Coal Creek Falls trail. It was great to get outside on this beautiful day for some fresh air and exercise. The falls were dry, so that added to some extra fun scrambling around on the rocks and logs below. This was one of Steph's favorite quick hikes and it had been a couple of years since we made it out there. Hiking was something we always enjoyed and I knew the kids and I would need a good physical outlet that we could enjoy together. They both requested more hikes in the future, so that is the plan. Hopefully the weather holds out a bit longer for us, but these kids love the rain, so I guess they are built to be NW hikers.
Rest
I obviously thought a lot about Steph the entire hike. I thought mostly about how thankful I am that she is at rest. She fought so hard these last nine months. Her resting heart rate has been over 100 BPM since at least January. While physical exhaustion was an almost constant, she didn't let it slow her down from spending time with the kids, friends, and family. It is so hard to believe it was only a week ago that she was calling around area pools and coordinating swim lessons for the kids - information she shared with me in an Apple note so I could get it locked down should she have to stay in the hospital a few weeks (No, I haven't done it yet).
The photo above is of our bedroom door. Steph would collect the mile markers for her walks around the hospital floor while admitted. She was always proud to tape one on her room door. I think about each of those miles. I walked many of them with her. Some days the mile came easy, but for many of those miles the steps were hard fought.
So today I was filled with joy knowing with full confidence that Steph was finally at rest in the presence of the Prince of Peace. The kids and I will continue to collect our own mile markers in the coming days, weeks, months, and years (by God's grace). Some will come easier that others, but we will continue the race as Steph so faithfully and diligently taught us to do.
When I go don't cry for me
In my father’s arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus face
And I will not be ashamed
For my savior knows my name
It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away
Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store
Come and drink and thirst no more
So weep not for me my friend
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to him
Who will raise the dead again
It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away
All my tears be washed away
We are starting to make plans for Steph's memorial service. I hope to be able to confirm a date and have an RSVP form ready to share with you all by Monday.