See ya later...

Instead of "Good-Bye", sometimes I like to say "See ya later"! I don't know, it somehow seems to sound more 'light-hearted' and promising. Good-Bye seems so final. Visits between our "Good-Byes" can sometimes be VERY long... even into the next life...

With the passing of family, friends, co-workers... we realize that saying "Good-Bye" can be hard... devastating or tragic.

Just this week, with the passing of two well-known men of our fellowship: Rev. Billy Cole and Rev. Cory McCool, many "Good-Byes" were said. But the great things is... we will meet again! We will not sleep forever! Some day, on the golden streets of heaven, we will be able to say "Hello" again!

I was considering how long it had been since I had seen some of my friends. It has been MANY years for some. I told you this summer that I got to meet up with my friend, Kim. She and I were room-mates at JCM (Jackson College of Ministries) in 1981. I had not seen Kim for 29 years, since her wedding. (See our 'reunion' picture below!)



The same weekend, I caught up with Sue. She has visited me during my father's services and we just had to have a "girls day out"...and we did! After almost 28 years, since MY wedding, she and I had a fun day or food, talk, fellowship... repeat! (Sorry! We BOTH had our cameras with us and forgot to take pictures...too busy talking!)

Sue and I met up with Teresa, another 'long-lost friend' for breakfast the next day. Why had we let the years go by and not re-connected before? Life just kind of steers you in different paths at times... so nice when they "intersect" again!

So, this week, I am off for another visit. I am almost 'guilty' in saying that I am FINALLY going to visit my brother Al and his children in Texas! He has been living there for about 27 years and this is my FIRST visit! Shame on me! I know....LIFE just kind of "filled-up" my time. Now, my hubby and I are alone... the kids (both girls) are married and living in Indianapolis (too far, fo sho!). Their husbands and the grand-baby are just too far away! I'm not good with the "separation" issue!

When I get on the plane in Columbus on Thursday, it will be such a treat! Sorry that my hubby cannot go (work, work, work...). I will miss him...:(

I WILL get to meet some new friends and meet up with some more older ones! Lori, my new sis from Minnesota gets to go with me as my traveling buddy! I am so excited to meet her and travel with her... she has a wonderful heart and I know that all will be fun and encouraging when we are together! Some of my dear girl-friends from yester-year: Bonnie, Susie and Lori, will be there for me to "catch up" with. I know I will meet others and that is exciting too!

So, when we start to say our good-byes at the close of another visit, I'm going to say, "See ya later"! That is what I truly want to happen... I want to see ALL my friends later... if not in this life, then in the one to come!