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Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

After a very unseasonably warm January, February has brought with it rain. We really need it, so I don't mind it. To celebrate the rain today, I curled up on the couch with a blanket and a movie. The Five People You Meet in Heaven. As far as movies go, it was pretty good. I guess one nice thing about it was being able to reflect on some of my own thoughts and feelings.

I don't know what the deal is, but for the last month or so I've had so many thoughts swirling around in my head, but totally unable to make sense of them. The movie was both a welcome distraction from the constant pressure to make sense of everything, as well as a helpful tool in getting me to look at my thoughts differently. 

Anyway, there was a quote near the end of the movie that really struck me. The main character, Eddie, meets his wife in heaven and he's expressing his sadness in having lost her and missed out on time with her. And this is her response: 

"Lost love is still love. It takes a different form, that's all. You can't hold their hand, you can't tousle their hair. But when those senses weaken, another one comes to life. Memory. Memory becomes your partner. You hold it, you dance with it. Life has to end; love doesn't."

One aspect of our loss that has been incredibly hard to deal with has been the fact that we really only have one memory to hold onto of our daughters. And, the fact that that memory is filled with such intense feelings, makes it that much harder to think about. I find myself wishing that we could have had just a little more time. Just a few more memories to get us through. It all just happened too soon and too fast.

But, the part of this quote that really rang true to me was this idea about new senses being strengthened with loss or death. While we clearly lack the memories, I have still found myself seeking to strengthen other senses. There is a need to connect to and understand the language of the Spirit; a hungering for quiet moments to feel a little bit closer to things eternal. It has never felt as urgent or as much of a priority as it does now. And, I'm really grateful for that - grateful for the yearnings, grateful for the awareness of the knowledge and the peace that are available.

And, really what a comfort to know that though life {as we now know it} does have an end, love doesn't.

But, that's a whole new topic for a different day.


4 comments:

Lisa said...

Megan,
I love this post, I love how you can express your feelings so well. Sometimes I tell my hubby that I feel like our blog is my best friend. I can tell it anything and it just listens. Curling up on the couch with a blanket and a movie sounds so blissful.

I was wondering if I could add your blog to my list?

Lisa

Jen said...

I like that movie as well. I like with when shows make you think! You say things so well!

Deetsgirl said...

Thanks for sharing. I have the book and love it. It really makes you think. Your posts are always so reflective. I was realizing the other day as I pulled out a book about children dealing with grief that I needed to be reminded that grief is a whole body process. I also believe that it is a whole soul process. I find myself longing to get closer to God each day in anticipation of the day when I get to embrace my son.

Allred Mom said...

Megan,
Another wonderful post!
Yes, mortal life does end.....but eternal life and love doesn't! That is what keeps us going! I look forward to your next post, too! Love ya!