The Pinch Hitter Man - episode 73
So I had a guest lined up for this week and she needed to reschedule way down the line. Everything is ok on her end, just not great timing. I asked Shaun to pinch-hit and he said yes, of course. This is that conversation.
Listening to Shaun, I learned more about myself, how someone close sees me, and also more about him - some of the challenges - things we all have, and the creativity he tapped into, a muscle we can all use. That is what one conversation at a time can do. Ask questions, listen to the answers, and be present to really know one another.
When it comes to the pinch, human beings are heroic.
— George Orwell
Heavy and Heavenly Hearts
Thoughts from The Pinch Hitter Man
Shaun and I went with my father to visit his wife, my stepmom, Pam. (I have written about her in the blog It’s the Little Things, episode 67.) While only 73 years of age, she is dying of cancer. Any day now. Any minute. Yes, this is a heavy topic. It is a very heartbreaking thing to go through. I’m not sure I know of anyone really who has not had to say goodbye to someone they love.
It’s a part of this life.
I told her how much I love her, the influence she has had on me, and to please look Christian up when she gets there, say hi from his mom, that I love and miss him. Lest you think this is strictly a sad blog post I want you to know to me it is not. There is so much to look forward to on the other side! I believe it will be beautiful and more than we could possibly hope or imagine. As I get older there are more and more people I know who are there: Christian (blog episodes 32 & 37), Dennis (blog episode 33), Baby Grandma (blog episode 64), godmother/aunt Mary, mother-in-law Ginny, father-in-law Doug, Nana, Julie Wagner. and very soon Pam.
I will miss her. Doesn’t that simply mean I love her and she loves me?
I don’t think we are sad for them. We are sad for us. (See blog Left Behind, episode 60.)
On to the good parts of heaven as I see it:
I will have an amazing voice and will be able to sing for anyone who will listen. And they will because this is heaven and people are nice.
There will be an endless supply of incredible food and I won’t have any digestive issues. (Favorite foods: Mexican, Italian, smoothies, Caesar salad, frozen yogurt all come immediately to mind.) Calories won’t count and you can’t gain weight. You won't be gluttonous, you will simply enjoy what you are eating, including carbs.
There will be water for our enjoyment: swimming, snorkeling, boogie boarding, surfing, you name it. Plus outdoor adventures in breathtaking scenery of all kinds.
You can take naps but you don’t have to. You do it because you want to.
I get to be with my beloved pets: Lacey and Callie. (Layla is still here.)
We will learn stuff we want to, and be creative in any way we choose.
There will be different sections of music available. You’ll find me in the TobyMac, Kirk Franklin, Al Green, Earth Wind & Fire, Yacht Rock, etc. sections.
I will get to dance AND dance with King David, with reckless abandon.
I will spend moments (there is no time so not sure how to describe it) with all loved ones. Plus I will meet others there. We will have connection. Instant, deep and everlasting. The share-factor will be off the charts.
I imagine there will be wine so a cosmo can’t be far behind. Yes, please.
I think it will be all of the things we love best with all the people we love most.
Yes, that’s my idea of heaven. We shall have to see.
