September 18, 2004 - The page is blank and I am searching for characters with which to fill it. I need to find characters conjoined into words; words combined into phrases; phrases strung into sentences; and sentences aligned in paragraphs. Somehow the thoughts the race through my mind won’t organize themselves into coherent sentences. I have written before of Raymond Clark and of his elegant encounter with the completion of his journey through life. It was a journey of both painful and of joyous steps taken one by one. The last was Wednesday surrounded with his five daughters and two of his sons-in law singing Amazing Grace at his bedside. He smiled and then went to greet his final visitor in private.

Coming just a week after Ming crossed the Rainbow Bridge our emotions have become all jumbled and confused. A sound, a memory, a random thought will open that empty place within our selves and commence to fill it up with tears. We knew and both of them knew that our time together was drawing to a close. They knew and we knew that the time for them to depart from us had come and both left us quietly and without fanfare. They both took pieces of our hearts with them when they went.

As we drove east toward the growing glow of morning the sun burst over the trees perfectly aligned with the road way. That bold orb of pulsating life clouded all sight. Automobiles traveling east before us were rendered mere shadows. Signs directing us to our exit became invisible as we were guided on our way to the funeral chapel. I heard these words, "This is the day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it!"

This morning we gathered with his family; with the members of the Church that he served as Assistant Pastor; and with his friends to celebrate his life and to comfort each other. The sadness that we feel is for ourselves; that life has deprived us of his company, his counsel and his caring. But we feel joy as well, that we were privileged to have shared part of our journey with him. For that favor we give thanks.

Ray, may the Good Lord bless and keep you, may he make His face to shine upon you and grant you peace.

Amen.