The empty chair in the waiting room

This week came and went and I did not do not get my usual blog posting up and ready on Tuesday night but here goes. I had the opportunity to deal with two different situations this week, and on both occasions, I was forced to reflect on how easily the tables could be turned.

The first was a lady who came in to review her life insurance and after a discussion that lasted about a half hour, she asked if the policy could be assigned to a funeral home as she had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer. What a humbling experience. I cannot describe the feeling of utter helplessness that came over me. I wanted to ask a few more questions and I wanted to ask her to pray for me but no words came out. I just offered my condolences and any help to her or her family.

The second experience was with a family dealing with the final moments of a loved one, and all the decisions that come with this type of crisis. Nothing can prepare you for this and no matter how ready you may seem, you just are not ready to let go sometimes. Although there are many people, who state that life cannot be measured in years, passing before life has been lived and enjoyed, seems like such a crime.

Death knows no boundaries and it can be compared to a waiting room. There is always an empty chair and you really do not know who is getting called next. As you sit and study the faces of the others, sitting in that waiting room, you wonder what they are thinking about. Are they dwelling on the joys of the journey or the regrets of the past? Is there unfinished work that needs to be completed and is there bridges that need to be repaired or built. Each of us has the answers to these and many questions.

Please be seated and we will be right with you…