Beethoven and the Vet

Today Mom drove our old car (“Goldie” which was short for “The Golden Girl”) to be traded in because the cost to repair the car is far beyond the car’s worth in its old age. Goldie is getting taken to the junk yard.

Know that sinking sad feeling of letting something go?

Mom said that she drove the car in a quiet solemness, not quite sure how to let go of this rather inanimate object that she somehow felt connected with.

Mom isn’t one for classical music, but she found herself listening to a live performance of one of Beethoven’s sonatas as she drove. It seemed appropriate that the moment be coupled with a strong, beautiful sound.

My mom had a childhood dog (“Ezzy” which was short for “Esmeralda”) and her dad had to put the dog to sleep when she was in fourth grade. Her dad told her when she was older that he yelled (the dog was now deaf) “good dog” as loud as he could, over and over again, as he drove the very faithful dog to the vet.

And that dog was much more than a car could ever be.

And mom remembers when she was at her great-grandmother’s funeral (Her name was “Mame Mame”, which was short for “Helen”). She watched her great-grandfather stand at the open casket for what seemed like a very great deal of time just staring at the body of the lovely woman he had been married to for over 60 years. He just stood there, trying to let her go.

How can any human let go of something like that?

Mame Mame’s love and commitment to her husband makes a dog’s love look like junk.

May you live today in such a way that you notice the people around you. Who’s casket would you just stare at, waiting and hoping for them to come back and be beside you again?

May you appreciate what it means to say hello to those people, and not just goodbye.

May you encourage them and love them very well.

And for those of you who have never known what it means to be loved by God, (which is far deeper and stunning on all accounts than mom’s great grandparent’s love), may you come face to face with your Creator. May you fall before Him in humility and begin to trust His strong arms. He is offering a love that does not fade or leave you.

Good night.