22 March 2004: My step-grandfather, Wilbur Yelton
17 December 2004: My brother-in-law, Delane Sykes
5 July 2005: My former parishioner, James Anderson
10 September 2005: My grandmother, Christine Healy Yelton
So many deaths of late.
This past weekend, aside from the sheer physical brutality of driving a total of sixteen hours (twelve to Siloam for the funeral followed about an hour later with four to El Dorado for the burial), with 45 minutes of sleep in the encompassing thirty-six hours, was extremely difficult. Grandma's funeral was very respectfully done, and I was able to offer my prayers and to grieve.
It was a blessing to spend the following couple of days, though too too short, with family. Except for my mom, no one had made Delaina's acquaintance, so the juxtaposition of death and the celebration of new life was quite stark. Since my birthday is coming, my family took the opportunity to celebrate it with me. It was nice to have the attention and well-wishes.
But I return to a storm-filled Monday morning with lots of rain and grey clouds. It certainly fits my underlying mood.
But I did not and am not succumbing to the inertia of darkness. I am trying to fight through the listlessness and inner ennui to do my prayers. And though I awoke with only a few hours of sleep under my belt (having got in about midnight last night), I did manage to struggle to say morning prayers, and I am working hard to pray the Jesus prayer regularly.
If this emptiness in me is to be filled, it can only be filled by meeting Him who overflows it on the pathway of prayer.
Posted by Clifton at September 19, 2005 01:00 PM | TrackBack