Cindy had injured her back while carrying Fernye to the hospital. She had done her best, and had successfully gotten Fernye there ...though it was deemed to be Fernye's time to travel to her eternal home. God's timing is different than our timing, and no one had known that better than Fernye.

 Fernye had prepared her own message that she wanted the preacher to read when she died.  This moment had come.  It is rather easy to read:

                                                                                                                    

"A funeral is not really about the one who appears to be the center of attention ---that is already a done deal.   A funeral is really about all  those left living.   What are the living going to do with their lives?  Okay, so some of you got kind of close to me.  Of course, you'll be hurting right now.  And I know most of you …you'll do a fine job supporting each other.   I have attended so many funerals in my life where there is more concern over how much an imposition into their own life the death has made ...than how really devastating it may be to the one who is truly grieving.  I once saw  a little girl lose both her parents.  Would you believe there was more talk about how difficult it was going to be on the rest of the family, instead of considering what the poor little girl must be going through?   Make sure to pause ---give them time to reflect on this one."

                                                                                                                
     The preacher waits until the few chuckles pass throughout the large attending crowd, then he continues:  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
     "The only way we can truly look at life is through death.  Much of our lives are otherwise rather meaningless and insignificant.   We fill our lives up with things that don't really matter. There are few moments in life that we actually get real.  The moments in life that I consider significant are moments we have to face grave sickness and disaster, most all moments in the mission field, births, weddings, and funerals.  Since this is my funeral, consideration should be taken to honor my requests.   I only have two.  Actually, I only have one.  I should say I only have two expectations at my funeral.  The first thing I expect is that people will cry.  I don't have to request it …I already know the ones who truly love me.  And I am thankful that there are many of you.  The second thing I expect, is a request I have.  I expect the truth to be told.   Not the truth about me …I don't want one single thing mentioned about me.   Where I'm going, it's not about me.  It's the truth about Jesus that I want to be told at my funeral.  And I want it to be told over and over.  Then if you still want to talk about something, talk about the most wonderful things in life.  Talk about births, and rebirths.   And talk about weddings ...unions, and reunions."

                               *********************

     Fernye knew well what kind of reception she was going to receive ...and what a blessed reunion in Heaven.  Though she wasn't aware of the significance of a reunion about to take place on earth.  Yet, if she was still on earth, she would certainly have higher hopes than anyone. 

Cindy has Merrie Isaac braid her beautiful long hair, just the way Stephen likes it. And she also puts on the dress that she had only worn one time before. It is the dress Fernye and Stephen's Mom, Ruth, had made for her. It's the dress she'd put on over seventeen years ago ---the one she'd worn for that special surprise occasion ---that disappointed her so, when he hadn't noticed.

Yes, she recalls that time she wanted to break the news to him ---the news he still does not know.  

     Cindy chuckles to herself.  It was also the time Stephen had shaved half his face to make a point.  The fact was …that she seldom noticed him either.

As Cindy stitches a last stitch on the quilt she'd been rushing to finish, she closes her eyes. These small stitches are a strain on her eyes, but each stitch is like an important thread in her life.

Cindy hears a small amount of commotion.  She doesn't know whether she has fallen asleep, or is about to.   But now she is wide awake.  She recognizes Shannon's whisper …and quickly puts the quilt beside the sofa. 

As Stephen steps into the room, it's like a moment frozen in time. He gazes lovingly into her eyes from a distance.

     She returns the loving glance.   He knows she is unable to move about with her present back condition, but she touches him with her eyes, and her heart ---her husband is back!

Stephen kneels in front of Cindy and kisses her hand, bathing it in his tears. He can't find the words, or if he could, he can't speak them.

     She understands …no words are necessary.  The same unspoken love overwhelms her with tears. 

  

He sits beside her, gently moving close, kissing her again …and again. Face-to-face, he rests his head against the back of the sofa, and looks lovingly into her eyes.

     He is careful to have consideration for her back, and what pain she may be in.  He carefully moves his head closer until he rubs noses with her, before kissing her again. 

They manage only a few simple words, "I love you." Then they just look at each other, speaking with the heart what words cannot express.

     The love speaks for itself …and that is enough.

Stephen is touched by all the loving details that Cindy had preserved in his honor ---the thirty-five year old van, the walled community, and now, in all her beauty ---she is sitting upon the sofa he had knelt beside when he proposed marriage to her.

It had been Cindy's sofa, but became their  sofa.   Anyone else would have discarded it ---it is truly an eyesore.  But talk about a sight for sore eyes ---it is not just a sofa, it contains all past tears.  And now it is being drenched in present ones ---tears of gratefulness, falling, yet rising to new heights, in heavenly celebration.  But best of all, it contains the one he truly loves ---his wife, Cindy.  

Stephen looks up and smiles. Shannon is video-taping the joyous reunion. He laughs through his tears, "Do you remember how I'd get agitated by all the video-taping? Well, I love it now …keep taping, Shannon!"

Cindy smiles, "Your memory hasn't suffered much through the years."  

     Stephen chuckles, "The memories kept me alive ---they kept me going.  That's all I had!  That's what helped me survive …and prayers, of course." 

Cindy wipes her tear-ridden face, "I can still remember that last day I saw you leave for work."

Stephen kisses Cindy again, "I can still see your loving face at the window, holding Josiah ---Leah holding Cody Komodo's little hand, making  it wave goodbye to me ---and Shannon's toes, with faces drawn on them, also waving goodbye to me."  

Shannon puts the video-camera down.

     Josiah and Leah join her as they kneel in front of Dad and Mom, encircling them with one big gentle group hug.

Shannon is so excited to be home again too, thinking of all the things she has missed in just the short time she's been gone ---and wanting Dad to share in everything he has missed all those years he's been gone, "Mom, can I see how you've been doing on your project?"

Cindy agrees, "Sure, I've only got a couple stitches left.   Leah and Josiah can hold it up, so you and Dad can see."  

They wait to hear what comments will be made.   Stephen responds immediately, "That's really beautiful, dear."  

Cindy smiles, looking at the children, who join in the excitement of anticipation.  Stephen suddenly bursts into a huge smile, "It's all my shirts! The designs are made from material from all my shirts!"  

Cindy laughs, "I didn't know if you'd pick up on that one.  Did you really miss your shirts that much?"  

Stephen leans over to kiss Cindy again, "The one material clued me in. It's the same material as the shirt I wore that last day of work.   How did you ---?"                                                                                                                          

Shannon laughs, holding back tears, "Everyone thought the shirt was so ugly, but you wanted to show me how much you loved me.  You wore the shirt because I bought it for you.  And after you disappeared, we came across the same shirt …we just had to get it!  It became my favorite shirt. I wore it all the time."   

Leah and Josiah turn the quilt around. The other side is a pale blue with only one design in the very center of the quilt.

Shannon raises her eyebrows, this other side proving not to be as tastefully done. The shape looks like a pair of …shorts ?  It has to be!  It can't be anything else ---bright red, with white hearts?

Cindy blushes slightly, "There's a story behind that!"  

     Stephen's laugh is soft, mostly dominated by his big grin, "I'm sure there is a behind story that ---I mean, a story behind it."

Cindy blushes more by Stephen's teasing comment, "I got that material out of Fernye's keepsake box. It was with her diary. You'll have to read it sometime."

          Shannon adds, "Speaking of reading ---." 

Cindy acknowledges that it's not quite time yet, "That story plus many more, I was able to obtain through Fernye's diary.  She turned over her keepsakes to me last year.  She had a feeling this would be her last year with us.  Josiah has helped me get some of the things together.  He will have to show you later."                                                                                                                                      

Stephen adds, "That's a good idea ---getting together some of Fernye's stories.  Few people are as interesting as Fernye was." 

     Being the oldest child, Shannon provides some leadership, "Come on, Leah and Josiah, let's let Dad and Mom become more acquainted.  Josiah, I know you probably want to get some things together at the print room.  Leah, how about you join me down at the barn?"                                                                   

     Shannon, Leah, and Josiah depart.  Shannon steps back in, just for a moment, "Sorry, I want to get the video-camera.  I'm gone now." 

   Stephen clasps Cindy's hand within his, looking lovingly into her eyes,  "I don't know where to begin …I've missed you so much. I wanted to  wait until we were alone to tell you this.  I know we had a lot of struggles before I disappeared, but I want you to know that I had never stopped loving you in my heart.  I definitely decreased my ability to show it, but I never stopped loving you.  I'd wanted to change what we had together, and in trying to improve it, I actually made it worse.  I should have just prayed about the things that bothered me so much.  I don't know what I thought I was trying to do.  Did I think I could change things?  I see now that God did it without my help.  I've painfully realized the error of  my ways.  I've had seventeen years to think about it.  That's a lot of years to live in regret."                                                                                                                             

   Cindy attempts to confess through her tears, "I've also had seventeen years to live out my regrets.  But I want you to know that I felt all the prayers.  I didn't know many of them were from you ---because I didn't know you were even alive.  But now that I know you were there every day, praying for me, I want you to know that it wasn't easy to change.  I could have easily gone more in the direction that I had already been going."   

       There are more tears than words.  There is much, much more to be said, but hopefully the separation is behind them, and now they can be together in a way they weren't …even when they were together.   

Another hour passes.

     Cindy has some very important things she has yet to share, "I don't ever want to be separated from you, not even for a minute, but I think it will be a few days more before I'll be able to attempt walking.  I guess I can part with you a few minutes if you want to gather up our children so we can eat.  Josiah is probably still at the print room.  It's attached to the church …you can't miss it.  Then he can take you to the barn where the others will be at." 

Stephen finds Josiah busy at work in the print room.

Josiah stops his work to express a few words, "There were some things I wanted to say to you, but I wanted to wait until we had a moment alone.  Growing up without a Dad was not easy, but Mom did the best she could.  She's done  a wonderful job with us.  I can't imagine having a better Mom.  But I know you prayed for us every day too, so I want you to know that I know that has been a big part too.  I didn't know you were praying, but I'm sure it made a big difference.  I want to thank you for that."                                                                              

Josiah has a book in his hand.  As Stephen embraces Josiah in another big hug, he can feel the book press against his back. But mostly he can feel the love shared between a father and a son. He had wondered how easily he'd be able to become a part of Josiah's life, but he can see now that there will be no problem bridging the gap the years had created.  

     Stephen cries tears of thanksgiving, "Mom was right, you've become a wonderful young man, and I'm so happy God has blessed me with two wonderful daughters ---and a son."

They hug for a moment longer, then Josiah hands Dad the book that had been pressing against his back.

Stephen reads aloud: "The Essence."

Josiah explains, "It's not actually my project.  I'm just helping Mom.  She says I'm quite good at operating the printing machines."

     Tears begins to flow again as Stephen turns the pages.  It's the story he had begun before their marriage ---and Cindy had found his notes, and written out the story.  Now this, is the most loving gesture of all.  Of all the unbelievable things Cindy has done in honor of her husband, this is the greatest.                                                                                                                   

     Josiah adds, "Mom says this is the first part of the story, but it does not end here.  It will continue as our lives continue together ---and she is going to continue writing."

Stephen is speechless. He doesn't know what to say. The book also contains stories of each of the children. He turns a few pages … to the Thanksgiving skit. He definitely remembers that one. He reads aloud:

"After the skit, Cindy has me agree not to get the children politically involved …so I begin teaching them the Ten Commandments  instead.  Leah and Josiah are so close in age, they're always doing things together.   Most of the time they are wonderful together.   I love to see them play.  But as with any children, the process of together  can lead into areas which we call growth, if they are willing to accept their differences ---which all children have." 

Stephen reads what is perceived to have been his motive:

     ********************************

     I say, "I wanted to make sure all you children understood that Jesus died for our sins …and by understanding His love and forgiveness, we can better conceptualize the forgiveness we are to extend to one another.   

     You ask, "What is sin?"         

     I explain, "Sin is going against God, and going against His provision for us."   

     I know that I'm not speaking entirely at your level, so that's when I decide that I will go through the Ten Commandments with all of you children …covering only one commandment each day.   The first three days are spent describing who God is ---recognizing, respecting, and responding.   You all seem to understand the fourth commandment quite well.   The fifth day I discuss with you what some parents errantly stress as even more important than the first three:  Honor Your Parents.    I also mention that it works best if Dad and Mom also honor each other.  For the sixth day, the question of war comes up, but I try not to get political.   That evening I have to work overtime at work …and it feels like a war.  I am so worn out, but you all are so enthusiastic,  so I begin reading, not knowing what trouble I'm about to get into …until the words leave my lips, "Do Not Commit Adultery".    

     I am so tired, I don't really feel like doing this.  Probably wouldn't be any better though, even if I wasn't tired.  Maybe it's better that I am tired …and that I don't really think before I speak.   

     For some strange reason, I take an environmentalist point of view, "Do not come at an adult tree.  Remember when we planted that baby apple tree in our front yard, well, now it's an adult tree …and it has apples."    

     Leah asks, "Why is that  a sin?"    

     I explain, "Well, God created for us, every good fruit.  And we shouldn't just chop it down."   

     Then you, Josiah, add, "Like George Washington did with the cherry tree?"    

     I quickly reply, "Something like that …we just need to save our trees.  And it is fruitless to chop them down.  Believe me, if we don't come at adult trees, we save a lot."    

     I end by promising to plant more baby apple trees with all of you ...some other day."  

     ******************************** 

     Before Dad reads too much, Josiah suggests, "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry.   How about we go down to the barn and get the others?  

Stephen leans on the fence.

     Shannon stands up, "Dad, I'd like you to meet the young man whose been taking care of these precious horses while I've been gone."  

A young man wearing a captain's hat, steps into view carrying a bail of hay in each hand ---the twine taut between straining fingers at the end of down-stretched arms.

Stephen playfully interrupts, "Now don't tell me …you look to be the age of Dave and Sherry's boy.  You must be Jonah Stage."                                                   

The young man answers with his back turned, as he carries the bails of hay into an adjacent stall, "No, you've got my age figured fairly well, but Jonah is a year older than me."  

Stephen steps over to the stall and leans on the rail, "Okay, now I've got it ...Ray and Claudia Isaac were due to have a child in late fall, of 2008. They didn't know whether they'd have a boy or girl, but you must be that blessed son."  

Stephen extends a hand, "Glad to meet you, Sir, I'm Shannon's Dad, Stephen Razohn." 

The young man extends his hand and shakes hands, "I'm Samuel Isaac." 

Stephen smiles, "Well, I'll have to tell Ray and Claudia what a fine young man they have, next time I see them.  Last time I saw your folks, your mom was beginning to show you quite well, at 7 to 8 months.  It's a pleasure now, to meet you officially."     

     Samuel declares, "I don't mean to confuse you, but I'm not Ray and Claudia's son ...my middle name is Isaac, not my last name.  But Ray and Claudia did have a boy ---and he is a fine young man, as well as a friend of mine.   His name is Aidin Isaac." 

     Stephen smiles, "This is interesting.   Now let me see, if I have your  age right, and you're not Ray and Claudia's boy---"  

Samuel shakes the chaff off his captain's hat and relocates it on his head, with the brim not so close to his eyes this time.

Samuel is so filled with emotion, he tries not to tremble with his words, "I'll give you a small hint.  I was one of the first to move into the walled community with my Mom. Dad, on the other hand, just recently moved in."                                                                 

Stephen admits, "Well, that may be a hint, but I'm sorry, I don't have a clue.  I don't know of anyone else who was to have a child, so I probably don't know your family.  I wasn't even around when this community first opened."  

Strangely, Stephen feels drawn to this young man, "Were your parents separated for very long?"  

Samuel looks into Stephen's caring eyes, then quickly looks away, "Yes, quite a while."  

Stephen senses this young man is still feeling the pain, "I'm sorry to hear that.  But it's good they're together again ---you're happy for that, right?"  

                          Samuel looks back into his eyes, "Yes, Mom really loves Dad." 

Stephen seems to fall quickly into the mental health routine. It's been years, but he still has it within him.

He has a natural caring for people and their situations, "Do you think Dad loves Mom?"   

Samuel looks deeper into his eyes, "Yes, I believe so." 

Stephen searches further, "Do you love your Dad?" 

     Samuel glances away temporarily, then looks back, "I've only been able to spend a few minutes with my Dad, but I do believe I love him.  I guess I was hesitant because I wasn't sure how he feels about me." 

Stephen tries to reassure the young man, "Well, if Mom loves Dad, and you believe Dad truly loves Mom ---then I'm sure he loves you too. And with the kind of special young man I've been talking to for the past few minutes, I can't imagine it would take long. You just have to spend time together. I've been separated from my family for quite some time. We've just recently got back together ---and it was quite easy. But we were separated under different circumstances, so I'm not going to say it's always easy. Some things take time. But time is usually in our favor. Time often allows the best of things to heal."

Samuel looks directly at Stephen, "I'll give it a try.  My circumstances aren't really that different from what you described." 

Stephen extends his hand again, "Well, my wife is waiting to have dinner with the four of us, so we'd better go. Maybe you and your folks could join us some time."

     Samuel shakes his hand, "I'd like that."  

Stephen smiles, "Good. I'll make a point to look up your folks. Nice meeting you, Samuel."

Stephen turns to leave, then turns back around, "Silly me, I forgot to ask your last name."    

Samuel stares ahead with wonder, his eyes growing bigger, "My last name is Razohn ---Samuel Isaac Razohn, Sir ...I mean, Dad."  

Stephen is frozen, for only a moment, as he takes in what was just said. Then he rushes forward with open arms, embracing the son he didn't even know existed.

     Cindy's greatest gesture of all ---her deepest love, proved to be the greatest Father's Day surprise.   And she'd chosen the very name he had picked out for Josiah, with the initials, S.I.R. ---Sir.  

Stephen continues to embrace Samuel ---and tears are not only spent by him, but by Samuel as well.

     All that pent-up anticipation, wondering if he'd be accepted as the others were accepted, is now released and able to find a resting place ---a place of security and contentment.   




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