Author’s Note:  This post has been swimming around in my head for some time.  I finally found the time to write it. The idea came to me the day before Dad moved to heaven.

A Musical?

As I sit here watching and waiting for my father to die, I hear Barry Manilow’s “Bring On Tomorrow” in my head.

It seems as though I am in a musical and should sit on window’s ledge overlooking  the courtyard and wistfully look up at the sun shining ever brightly in the clear blue sky and start singing:

“Bring on tomorrow for me and for you
we hung on through dark hours..dawn’s overdue
bring on tomorrow and show me the sun
we’ll live it together cause you are the one.”

“Bring on tomorrow for me and for you.”

Tomorrow will be better for both Dad and me.  He will be in heaven and no longer working hard to breathe.  He will be with all those who have gone on ahead; his parents & grandparents, in-laws, his wife, and my husband Joe.

Greeting him at heaven’s gate will be Fifi, the silver miniature poodle given to my sister and me as a Christmas present by family friends.  She would sit in his lap as he read the paper and I am sure she will do so once again.

Tomorrow will be better for me as there will be no commuting to the hospital and sitting “death watch.”  It is very stressful waiting for someone to take their last breath.

I know a better life awaits but he keeps fighting to live or die, I am not sure which.  Guess God and Dad are setting some things straight before he moves into his new home.

 “we hung on through dark hours..dawn’s overdue”

There were many family crises throughout the years, so Dad and the rest of us went through plenty of dark hours. 

All his dark hours are about to be history as he is facing the dawn of a new day, the first day of a life without darkness. 

“bring on tomorrow and show me the sun”

Dad will see the sun every day starting tomorrow.  No more “Rainy Days and Mondays” always getting him down.  His future is so bright he will have to wear shades.

“we’ll live it together cause you are the one.”

Dad, even though tomorrow may find us living in different places, we will still live tomorrow and every day thereafter together because you live in my heart.  Therefore I take you into the future.  What that future is, only God knows. 

“The Best Is Yet To Come”

Yes, bring on tomorrow so it becomes today and Dad and I can seize the day in vastly different ways as the song says “The Best Is Yet To Come” …starting tomorrow, so bring it on.

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me insufficient for that day.” 

 Abraham Lincoln

When all else fails, go to your knees.  Humble yourself before God surrendering your fears and concerns.  His shoulders are broader than yours and can handle the concerns you give him.

You may be clutching your teddy bear or be wrapped in a loved one’s favorite afghan or blanket and that is fine. The important thing is you are unloading your troubles on Him.

I Do It

I’ve unloaded a lot on God recently and there is no end in sight.  It was a weekend where instead of saying “Hello” when answering the phone, I wanted to say “Who’s dead or sick now?”

So when I go to bed tonight, I will be dumping on God again. 

I do feel a measure of peace and joy after taking my cares and woes to him. 

Hopefully you will too.