But those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Our neighbor, Lisa, just hurried over to tell us that there were two eagles in a tree outside our window. We all went to watch them while they perched together for quite a while, then rose up and flew out across Bellingham Bay. Marilyn managed to catch a few pictures.
Somehow I feel humbled by the sight of these great birds. Some of it is mythology, I suspect, but more rests in Isaiah's promise that the faithful shall mount up with wings like eagles. As my breathing becomes more limited, I know that I shall not mount up with such strength in this life, but I hope, and do believe, that the promise extends into the eternal now. I do look forward to the ability to rise up without being winded, and even to emulate the eagle's flight.
The visitation of eagles was the perfect touch on a quiet day.
Posted by Donel at April 30, 2005 04:52 PMI too have been one of the quiet readers of the blog, although I must say I haven't checked it as often as I would like. Fortunately, I have Eulalah to remind me! I love seeing the pictures of the eagles, because that is one of my favorite verses and hymns and always lifts my spirits. It is also the song I sung with my medical school classmates at our consecration of thanks service for the families of those who donated their bodies to our anatomy course. However, I most recently heard Eagle's Wings at my grandpa's memorial service, and hence the reason why I too need to sit at the computer with a box of kleenex and mentally prepare myself each time I read the blog. Donel, I am so thankful that you are so willing to share your journey with us. As my family traveled with my grandpa on his four year dance towards death and watched his body and his strength ebb, we could only be thankful that his mind remained sharp, and his faith, and therefore all of ours, grew even stronger with him. We treasured each moment with him because we had been reminded how precious each day is, and you remind us to treat everyone in our lives the same way. I get spoiled in my profession. I go to work each day (or night as the case is right now) and deliver babies. I get to share in that experience of watching each newborn take its first breath and cradle him or her in my arms for a moment before passing the infant off to the waiting parents. I love seeing the tears on the faces of the family and friends, especially the fathers, when they see their child for the first time. There is such a sense of joy and relief. I have to believe that heaven is like that as well, that God is traveling with us through the difficult journey towards the end of our life on earth just as God was with us when we emerged from the womb. I envision a joyful crowd waiting for us, exclaiming in awe and wonder over the miracle that we are, and tears streaming down our Creator's face. I can only hope that the first question asked isn't, "How much does she weigh?"
Nicole
Posted by: Nicole Marshall at April 30, 2005 07:12 PMWhat a blessing for us here in sunny California to awake this morning to your Blog site and see the majestic eagles sillouetted by Bellingham Bay. Your journey shared brings us so close to my childhood home. The flowers, birds, bay etc. Our prayers are with you daily and thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Posted by: Jo Ann Marchese at May 1, 2005 10:26 AMMy mother's dance is done. She went home to heaven this afternoon. I had spent the week-end alone with her, and she knew who I was. My sister was with her as she quietly slipped away.
The eagle's are magnificent....I know they will lift Mom high.
Posted by: Marilee at May 1, 2005 06:05 PM
Donel,
I just received three beautiful eagle photos that I believe you would enjoy seeing. Is there an email address to which I could send them?
Corky
Posted by: Corky Cochrane at April 30, 2005 05:31 PM