Today marks the one year anniversary of when we said our final good-byes to Mahlon. I won't remember every little detail of his day, but some moments were so vivid that I'll carry them with me for always.
It was a dreary day. The weather seemed to match our emotions. I asked God for a rainbow, but the sky remained gray.
I'll always remember the shoes. Hundreds and hundreds of shoes. I couldn't make myself look up to see who the people were who were walking by to say their final farewell. The shoes kept marching by. Big shoes, little shoes, shiny new shoes, old cracked shoes, wide shoes, narrow shoes, dusty shoes, plain shoes, Sunday shoes with their embossed designs on their toes, ugly shoes, pretty shoes. Shoes, shoes, shoes marching by in a solemn line.
I'll never forget the sight of my four remaining brothers taking a turn together to gently fill the grave. It was the final activity the five brothers would ever get to do together
I'll cherish the memory of how David and I remained behind when the crowd left to go back to eat lunch. The Amish part of the funeral was now over. We played some music for him, and finally we too had to leave. It still doesn't feel right or real that the three of us ex-Amish are now only two.
Everyone was almost done eating by the time we got back to Dad's house. The afternoon passed in a blur of people wanting to talk.
We left early that evening for our long drive home. In the middle of the night we stopped at a rest area. I broke down crying again, asking God why this all had to happen, and why He didn't give me the rainbow I had so wanted. It wouldn't have had to be spectacular, any little rainbow would have been fine. I tried to pull myself together and went out to where the rest of the family was waiting for me. On our way out of the building Kenneth stopped by a vending machine. I didn't pay any attention to that until he turned and gave me a pack of Skittles. I looked at it and had to pause for a moment. There was my rainbow.
These past few days over this four day anniversary I've had little rainbows pop up in unexpected places. On my lap as LV and I were driving down the road, on the floor in our laundry room, as well as other spots where I have never seen rainbows before. I'm finding them to be so comforting.
Though I miss Mahlon so much, I can still say, "God is good all the time!"
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Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry. This is a tough time for you, for sure.
ReplyDeleteTears as I read this. I cannot imagine losing a sibling
ReplyDeleteA beautiful, poignant post. 'A rainbow in the Skittles.' I love that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your sorrow with us. My prayer is for more rainbows and more comfort to come until you meet again. Yes, God is good.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, I have been praying for peace for you and your family over the past few days. I can't imagine the sorrow you're feeling. I do know that God listens and cares to our hearts cries. And He provides.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Yes, God is good all the time, even when we are suffering a loss and hurting so badly. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteYes. God is good. God bless and comfort your heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. It deeply touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary Ann, I cannot believe it is a year already that your brother passed away. I continue to pray that God will give you the comfort and peace that only He can.
ReplyDeleteFinding the rainbows all around you-- just beautiful.
God bless you, my friend!