Yesterday my cousins brought their mom, my soon-to-be 90-yr-old Aunt Doris, from out of town to visit. Seventeen of us met for a hugs and laughter-filled buffet lunch; and some followed up later at my house for sweet potato pie—a definite Collier-cousin favorite.

 

Doris and I waited alone for a few minutes, with my new grandson, while everyone else filled up plates at the buffet. She startled and delighted me when she grinned and announced across the table, “I’m about to turn 90—so now I’m ready to die”! There was absolutely nothing morbid or worrisome in her words—just a joyful anticipation of the next great adventure. I grinned right back, but didn’t speak my thoughts: “I get it! I so totally get it!”

 

My professional mental health background nearly always stops me from saying, “I know exactly what you mean”, but it can’t stop me from thinking it.

 

Our heavenly-bent conversation continued when more of our group returned to the table with their food. Instead of a 90^th birthday party, Doris has always wanted to stay overnight at a bed and breakfast. So her daughters, Patsy and Sharon, have made special reservations for later this month; but evidently what Doris told me isn’t a secret. Because Patsy said that Sharon told their mom that they’d gone to a lot of trouble setting up this bed and breakfast thing, so please don’t die before April 25^th. If she feels she needs to go after her birthday—well okay, but please don’t leave till then.

 

And we laughed and laughed.

 

Later that day I told my daughter about the lunch conversation we’d had at our end of the long table. April, mom of two small children, somberly said that she hopes—when she’s old and has lived out her life—she’ll feel the same way.

 

I didn’t speak my thoughts: “You will, Sissy—someday you’ll get that completely”.

 

Years ago when I was a young woman, Dan’s mom told me that she was homesick for heaven; and I didn’t get it. Then one day, somewhere along the years of my own life, I got it. It’s not hard to understand a strong desire for heaven.

 

But till then, as Paul said, we have work to do here:

 

 

I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ,

 

whether I live or die.

 

For to me, living means living for Christ,

 

and dying is even better.

 

But if I live,

 

I can do more fruitful work for Christ.

 

So I really don’t know which is better.

 

I’m torn between two desires:

 

I long to go and be with Christ,

 

which would be far better for me.

 

But for your sakes,

 

it is better that I continue to live.

Philippians 1: 20-23