Yesterday I took my mother to her 61st class reunion. Many of her classmates have been going to school together since 1st or 8th grade. It was so sweet to see them enjoy one another’s company. It was as though there had been no passage of time they were together again and picked up right where they left off. They hugged, they kissed, they cried at those who didn’t make it this year. They greeted new spouses and welcome new family members. When you were related to a graduate you were in. That’s all that was need to be able to help yourself to the tables lined with food and the enjoyment of live music; just be related.
Heaven will be like that, I thought to myself. Hugs, kisses, picking up where we left off—and all we have to be is related. It didn’t seem to bother them that they were all now in their late 70’s it was as though they were all just high-schoolers again and instead of it being the hallway of University High it was the Senior Center Pavilion at the local park. They sat around the tables eating and filling one another in on all that had happened since they’d been apart. One had surgery, the other almost lost their husband but he was doing fine, another had their first great great grandchild. “My how time flies”, “How did we get this old?” “Oh one day at a time, one day at a time.” Then it was time to go. They decided they would meet the same time and the same place next year.
My thoughts drifted and I wondered who wouldn’t make it next year? Of their class of about 100 they had already lost 23 at their best count, 4 this year. With my eye on them and my ear toward heaven I wondered what the Lord my say about all of this? He was silent. Scripture came to mind. “It’s appointed to every man once to die and then the judgment.”
I don’t know how many that were there yesterday knew the Lord, I wish I did. One thing is for certain they are enjoying this life and the years they have had and look forward to continuing to have. I was glad my mother knows the Lord. Whether she will make her next reunion only the Lord knows for sure, but one thing is certain—she will have a reunion. There will be a table of food. There will be those she knows and love there. She will enjoy herself.
How about you? Do you know where your final reunion will take place? Do you know of those you will look forward to seeing again? Death isn’t the final goodbye. It is a portal to a new hello.
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