April 9, 2022
“When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2 The Message
We’ve had a lot of rain in the past few days, but I didn’t expect the bridge over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River that connects Lupton Road to Seven Bends State Park to be completely covered by waters. Below is what I saw when I got to the bridge.
A few hours later, just as I had pulled into a parking space at Walmart, I received a call from a Pittsburgh number. I thought it might be my sister’s financial planner, so I took it. It was one of my sister Carol’s friends, Joanne. “The birthday card I sent to Carol was returned to me with ‘Deceased’ on it,” she cried. She looked online and found Carol’s obituary, and wanted to contact me, but couldn’t find my phone number. She searched through her desk, and out of an old datebook, my business card dropped out, five years after I gave it to her at Michael, Carol’s husband’s memorial service and she called me.
I am the only person alive who knows that one of Carol’s security questions for an online account is her best friend Joanne’s last name. It felt wonderful to share that affirmation of their relationship with her before the conversation ended.
My car in a Walmart parking lot became a sanctuary where the unexpected flood of tears came. Grief is like being between a rock and a hard place. The only way out is through the rough waters. It brings a surprising flood of emotions, and for a time the bridge is not visible. But it isn’t the end thanks to God, my personal God, the Holy One, my Savior.
The bridge is still there. Be patient as you wait for the water to subside. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 