February is National Heart Month. This month reminds me of a pain my heart experienced exactly a year ago that has not gone away. My good friends Ron and Nan Deal lost their 12 year old son to a deadly virus. His name was Connor. February 17, 2009 is when he left this earth after a short 10 day battle for his life.
I have wrestled all year with the dance of encourager, supporter, and friend. We don’t really lean on each other for financial support as our businesses are independent of each other even though we office together. However, I was faced with a responsibility of being an emotional supporter to my good friend through what would be a year full of “firsts” as he grieved his son’s death. I don’t think I did very well. It was an awkward dance not knowing what to do or when to do it.
“Wib, go out and pick up the back yard.” I can still hear those words and frustration that followed as I tried to be the compliant son I was. I remember going to the back yard and being certain that there was something I was suppose to pick up but it was not obvious once I got there. I returned to my dad who impatiently said, “pick up the limbs that had fallen from the trees.” Oh. I was starting to feel relief and proceeded to pick up some limbs that were close to three to four feet long but not very thick. Surely, once those are all picked up, my dad would appreciate the work I had done.