Christ Jesus is The Difference

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15 (NASB)

There is a time and a place for everything. Death is one of those things that has a place in life. It is the one thing that is unavoidable.

This article is not meant to tear down or make one feel sad, but death is sad for those left behind. For those who have moved on, who is to say what they are experiencing. After all, God alone knows the mind of man completely and He is the ultimate judge of where we will reside in the after life.

This week my wife’s family, the Solomons lost a loved one; the mother of my wife, Barabara. I too lost a loved one. Setting spiritual beliefs aside for a moment, for I am a Baptist and she was LDS, Barbara Solomon was my mother-in-law and I loved her for that.

She was a strong willed woman, and although at times she and I found ourselves at odds with each other over differences in our religious beliefs, I never never doubted that she cared for me. She was an amiable debater having studied and immersed herself in her church and its belief system. She was a woman of conviction even when I remained unconvinced based her stance on whatever religious topic we might be debating.

Her sons and daughters, and even my wife most times, did not get to see the side of their mother that I saw. And, to be honest I am not sure that they would understand this side of her, nor could I explain it to them. I can say to them that their mother was passionate about what she thought and what she believed.

It is a funny thing to me in experiencing the loss of Barbara. It did not dawn on me just how much I was going to miss her until I hugged her husband by her grave and told him how much I loved him. He told me that no matter what I am a part of his family. I believe in my heart of hearts that Barbara felt the same.

In this it is hard for me to express how much I will miss the times that Barbara and I had together. I may never get to hear again these words from her lips, "Come here son. Let’s sit down and talk. I have question for you."

In this statement is found my greatest regret regarding Barbara Solomon. That is that I never called her mother. For that matter, I never called her anything but Mrs. Solomon. So many times she asked me to call her mother, or at least Barbara. Every time I simply told her that out of respect for her I could only call her Mrs. Solomon.

That was wrong of me, because in her death I realized that I robbed her of something that she loved; the role of a mother. It is my one regret in remembering her.

I will miss our conversations and debates Mom. I will try to have some with Dad while he is still with us. Remember, I love you even in death and that I miss you.