Just a month ago, I lost a loved one. This is what I dedicated to him.
Few realize how much their eyes have to do with their lives. We go through life studying, judging, learning, laughing, glaring, witnessing, receiving, and so much more with this rarely recognized organ of the body. People can glimpse into our eyes and see affection and fury; delight and despondency; passion and displeasure; serenity and disquiet; awe and animosity; valor and fear; confidence and shame.
When one is born, he slowly opens his eyes to peek out curiously at his surroundings. Tears spill down the child’s cheeks as the doctor gently lifts and washes him, but then, the child is placed in the hands of his tired mother. Once he sees his mum, as you Brits call her, all the wailing comes to a halt as he rests in the comfort of her arms.
In the blink of an eye, the mother watches her little son grow into a young man, ready to go off into the world. Looking over a letter from the army, the young man packs his bags to do his country of England service in Iraq. Upon return, he has a new perspective of the world. He leaves the service of the Queen and becomes a soldier for the Lord.
Setting his eyes on college, he enrolls in a Christian school. While he should be studying for his exams, he studies the woman who sits across from him in the library. Rosemary is the one with whom he will spend the rest of his life.
Then comes the first child, then the second, and finally the third. His eyes sparkle as he glimpses at the face of each for the first time. As he holds them in his arms, he can see into their future lives. In his only daughter, he glimpses a strong will; Rebecca has the eyes of a fighter. In his first son, he catches sight of a pensive look; Daniel has the eyes of a poet. In his last son, he spies mischief; Jonathan has the eyes of a troublemaker. Sorry, Dad. What I meant to say was that he saw a passion in every line of your face; you had the eyes of a preacher, just like himself.
In the following years, the man has a vision and does not hesitate to follow God’s calling for him to go to America. He watches as his children grow up in the strange country and continue to obey the Word of the Lord. Eventually, he observes all three kids pack up and drive off to college.
Year after year follows, he now has his hands full with grandkids. Proudly, he eyes them protectively as they take their first steps. First, there is adventurous Hana, then firm Isabel, then cheerful Samantha, then philosophical Sylvan, then Wrecker Deborah, and gentle Tabitha.
More years pass, and the now-frail man studies Rosemary, Rebecca, Jonathan, Tabitha, Deborah, Samantha, and Isabel as they bustle around, trying to put together his lunches and dinners. His eyes light up as they try to entertain him by showing him his favorite movies. But his eyes are filled with a tremendous shock and happiness when he sees Daniel step through the door in a beautiful surprise.
His eyes are often closed over the next couple of days, but he occasionally catches a glimpse of where he will be going soon. The time that has been given him goes from weeks to days. Then, silently, he slips away in the early morning.
Can you imagine what Papa envisions now as he awaits entry into those pearly gates? He is now facing Jesus and joining in song with the angels.
Farewell to a man who always had a laugh waiting behind every corner. A man whose eyes were always filled with a sparkle. A man who changed the lives of many with his godly words and example.
I already miss you, Papa Bear, though it has only been a month. I look forward to the day when I am called Home and can see you once more. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know you are in a better place where you are now free from all pain. I love and miss you from the bottom of my heart. Do not forget me while you are making the angels laugh.