In Memoriam

 Saturday, 8/14

My Dad and Mary
1984 wedding

July 2016 - My final photos

Yes, that's Sid--photo bombing

The 1 pm graveside service was attended primarily by Mary’s family, my brother and Sid & I, and a handful of my Dad and Mary’s church friends. A reception followed at their church, Crossroads Baptist, and then we drove all the way back to Flaming Gorge.

When I traveled for business, I did a lot of listening to audio books. Sid doesn’t have the same taste or patience for long books, even though we have tried, so I procured a few to listen to on the trip. Because I didn’t download them before I left, I have only made it through one so far, The Dutch House. I don’t think I’ve read any Ann Patchett before, but this was a pretty good book. I bring it up because on this day, there seemed to be a three-way intersection between one of the book’s themes, my reflection on knowing Mary, and how Sid has rather aggressively been striking up conversations with strangers on this trip. It has caused me to ponder my duty to love my neighbor who is close to me (family) versus loving my neighbor who is not so near (church folks, neighborhood folks, strangers/people God brings into your path). 

How do you strike the right balance?
Are there seasons of life where that is different?
Should I be willing to spend my life on others no matter what?
I know that when I die I want to be all used up, completely spent.
Is it OK for family to languish while you serve others if God calls?
Does God really call us to love strangers more than our family?

I still have so many questions and so few answers.