Until We Meet Again
My Grandpa Pratt's 2 year battle with Leukemia ended this morning as he returned back to our loving Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for the opportunity we had to go to Cedar City on Sunday to see him as well as stop on our way home from St. George on Tuesday to say our final good-byes. My Uncle Jim sent the family an e-mail this week that really explains the feelings and emotions we all felt that day in Cedar as we said last good-byes in this earthly state. Here is what he said:
"There are certain images and feelings from this visit I will carry with me for the rest of my life. While it was an emotional, tender experience, it was also one that has reconfirmed to me the importance of family. Really, isn't that all we have? I think so.
While there were many images, none were no more poignant to me than pulling away from you as some of you stood in the driveway waving goodbye to Lew. He waved goodbye as best he could, most, if not all of us realizing it would be the last time he would be here for Christmas. Then up the road a bit, Lew and I talked of heading for home, that there really is nothing like it. But it's family that makes it home and in the next life, that's the way it ought to be. He's heading for home, indeed, and I hope we all live our lives to merit returning home to be with him and family. That day is ever closer.
The aspiring poet in me had to try to capture this touching moment. For what it is worth, I hope I've done it some justice.
Heading Home after Christmas (2010)
A row of family
stands in sterile concrete drive
under pewter-gray hue
of wintry stratus cloud.
Their hands carve farewell
through thickening late afternoon fog
as precipitation falls down saddened faces.
It is the fog they fear most.
There must be a ray of light,
bluer skies at higher elevation.
beyond the bleak horizon,
perhaps Beaver Pass.
Disembarking is difficult
for all, even him.
Through shadowed windshield, he musters
a languid good-bye with feeble fingers.
The rearview mirror
fades them and life too quickly.
He knows it is time
to go home."
