What Have You Done Since I Left?

No one's life ever goes exactly as planned. Some bumps in the road are slight while others have the potential of bringing us to our knees. That is our story. When Timm, our 16-year-old son, was killed while attending a party, we found ourselves in a club that no one ever wants to join. Years later, after the hard work of healing, we are still a part of that grief support group and are now facilitating it. Quite often our discussions are about what our loved ones would want us to do in their absence. One night Dick, my husband, had this scene begin to unfold in his mind. He saw himself being greeted by Timm in heaven. They sat down at a table. Timm reached across the table and with wide eyes and great expectation, he took hold of his dad's hands, looked at him, and said, So Dad, tell me everything you’ve done since I left! There would be many stories to tell. Stories of losses and gains. Stories of adoption and foster children and an amazing amount of love and support from our family, friends, and faith community that have fulfilled our lives.