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Harvest Moon

One of my very favorite things to do up until the age of five was spent the night with my Aunt Opal in Paducah, Texas. Favorite memories include playing croquet with all the neighbors, catching horny toads, talking to truckers on the CB, dashing to the storm shelter to escape a passing tornado, and making the most scrumptious strawberry cake ever. My Aunt Opal deposited in me a love for life, a spirit of adventure, and shall we say a hefty portion of spunk. (Brad you can quit nodding your head.)

One weekend my parents drove from Lubbock to pick me up and noticed Opal didn't look right. They convinced her to come home with us. During the two hour trip my aunt had a heart attack in the front seat. My dad drove like a bat out of hell. By the grace of God we got a police escort to Methodist hospital. I remember pressing my face against the window and staring at the Harvest Moon on that terrifying drive. I only saw my Aunt Opal one more time before she died. Ever since then I have been uncomfortable under the Harvest Moon.

Several Sunday nights ago was another such moon. Our family spent the day at Lake Fork with my in-laws. All the preparations were shared regarding my mother-in-laws funeral. As I sat on the dock I had the thought, "What if the Harvest moon is when God harvests the souls of his beloved?" It was a comforting thought and I am not saying those who pass under other moons are somehow less than. I simply believe God allowed me to exchange the terror connected to a harvest moon for a peaceful thought.

The current situation is dire and our hearts are carrying much sadness. Her decline has been rapid and we know she will not be returning home to Lake Fork again. Her pain is great and we know her place in heaven is prepared.
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