HASTA LUEGO

When my children were little there was one word they refused to say. In fact they would run off and hide rather than have to say good bye. Each time as we would leave grandma and grandpa’s house one more time to return to Guatemala, Taby and Herbert would stubbornly refuse to give good bye hugs and kisses or even say good bye. No amount of begging or bargaining could get either of them to mutter those dreaded words. In their minds good bye was forever. Even today as my man/child runs out the front door it is never bye but “later mom.”

Spring break has come and gone from Morning Glory. Two weeks of intense labor and hard work but amazing bonds of friendship were formed. We were blessed with the visit of two amazing groups of young people. The first week a group of students from Dallas Christian College came to share with the Morning Glory kids, amazing friendships were made and bonds were formed. The second week a group of high school Spanish students from Carrollton Christian Academy shared with the children of Morning Glory. Each Friday as the buses left the campus filled with children tears flowed as young people said goodbye to children who had touched their lives and filled them with joy and love. I take great joy in observing moments in time that God gives us as windows into the souls of our fellow human beings. Some moments are so special and sacred that a photo would be sacrilege. Sitting in the cafeteria looking out the huge plate glass windows I watched one young North American girl sitting on the cement sidewalk deep in conversation with a young Guatemala girl. I watched as the Guatemalan girl took a handmade bracelet from her own arm and tie it on the wrist of her North American friend. Two heads bent together, one with huge brown eyes and coal black hair, the other sky blue eyes and hair the color of bright sunrays. Then to my surprise I watched as one of the girls took the shoes, name brand running shoes, off her own feet and the brown skinned Guatemalan child placed them on her feet. Both girls were oblivious to the world around them, caught up in their friendship and loving and caring, and as they hugged and said those dreaded words, tears freely flowed down their cheeks. Two girls bound together in a moment of time united by the love of God.
As I watched in silence my mind went back in time to all the times that I have had to say good bye and I realized that my children were right all along.
Today as I write this my husband and children are saying “later” yet once again. Yesterday Uncle German, the godly man who was the only father figure that my husband ever knew went to be with Jesus. Uncle German was a carpenter who loved Jesus and children. He taught Queno how to plane a board, straighten a crooked nail and how to mend a broken piece of furniture. Not only was “Tio Man” as the entire town called him an excellent carpenter but he was the local “bone doctor.” He had an incredible talent for putting broken and dislocated bones back together and binding up wounds. Right up to a few months before his death, injured soccer players young and old would seek out his help. With the aid of his miraculous balsamic ointment and a natural healing touch Tio Man would mend the bones of those who sought his help. Uncle German loved children and always had a trail of grandchildren and neighbor children with him where ever he went. He lived ninety years fully and victoriously, always taking time to be a good neighbor and share the gospel with whomever would listen. His sharp wit and sense of humor made me laugh and giggle more than once. I remember taking him to a buffet restaurant in Guatemala City and him pulling a plastic bag out of his pocket and stuffing it for “tomorrow.” I will never forget the Thanksgiving Day that we introduced him to cranberry sauce and the laughter that caused.
As with so many friends and family who have gone on before us, we will never see Uncle German again on this earth. Perhaps there are those who believe we should say good bye. But you know what? I think Herbert is right. “Later” is better. Because in Christ we have hope, hope that tomorrow when Jesus calls us home and we walk down the golden street, right around the corner there will be a carpenter’s shop with wood shavings on the floor. An old radio will be playing in the corner and half finished shelves and cabinets will be everywhere. Uncle German will be rubbing balsamic on the wrist of a heavenly soccer player who fell while kicking around that ball with Saint Peter.
Just as those two little girls hugged and said “until later” so it is “later” Tio, we will see you on the other side.
And for all the friends and family who have gone on before we have this hope. So I vote with Taby and Herbert that we strike good bye from the English language.
Hasta Luego