Like the eagle, we are meant to fly to the arms of God

I wish I could say I had written that, but I did not. Tonight though, I

was privileged to be able to write the most difficult piece I've ever done. I wrote an obituary. Privileged you ask? Sounds odd doesn't it? Why would anyone ever want to write one? I did not ask to write it, I did not even offer to write one. I simply commented that a relative of mine did it for a living and was asked if I would please do this. I did. I made it clear that I had never done it before,but I would do my best. And knowing it would relieve them of the burden, I did it willingly. There was a window of time before hand when I was alone and I silently prayed to God, asking him to help me to find the right words to express just how much this young man meant to all who loved him. I am grateful that He did. It has been a blessing in my life, a gift, that I am able to write well. And yet I feared that I would not do this justice. And yet after only a few words, not even sentences, I put my pen to paper and it was as if it wasn't even me doing the writing. The words flowed, and they flowed quickly. I know it was God working through me. And when I put the pen down, someone read aloud what I'd written. When these wonderful, dear, precious friends of mine cried, I knew that I had been blessed. I had been able to give them a way to express what they could not. The paper was passed around to be read by all who were there and rather than feeling pride or attitude because I had done such a good job, I felt humbled and thankful that God had made me his messenger to help these parents.

And the loved one? A very sweet, funny, generous, kind and loving 15yr old boy. Son of dear friends who are younger than me. A very unexpected and unspeakable loss.

On Tuesday afternoon, we heard the news. On Wednesday morning, as on every morning, I open my kitchen drapes and look out the glass sliders to the mountains. Usually, they are easy to see and if they are not it's because there are storm clouds, but not this time. On this bright and sunny, Wednesday morning, the mountains were obscured by big, bright white, billowy clouds. They looked as if they'd been drawn with crayons by a small child. Among the clouds, there was a small clearing. For two years now I've heard about eagles in this area and had yet to see any. Little did I know what was coming. From out of the clearing in the clouds came TWO eagles. One was larger than the other and flew ahead as if leading the smaller one. I watched as they soared so gracefully across the sky and without any warning, simply vanished. They didn't fly behind or above anything that I could see, they just simply disappeared from my view. I knew that was a sign, that he had made it to Heaven and he wanted his folks to know.

Tonight, someone asked his mom if I'd told her the story. I had not had the chance as yet. She turned to me, her eyes filled with tears and such a beautiful smile came over her face as she told me that the guest book for the services, has eagles on the cover. Believe me when I say, that I never could have known that.

God moves in mysterious ways and I am humbled. I was privileged to know this young man for two years, I only wish it had been longer.

Rest in peace Erik, we know you soar with the angels now, you will be dearly missed.