Peace

Monday, July 4, 2005

Sunday had been a rather strange day. Collette had been unnerved about pains in her legs and back and such… But after talking it over with Dad, Mom, and OLeif, she decided not to do anything more about it. She was on edge, however, for awhile, even through lunch of fajitas at the Silverspoon’s. She saw the onyx bull and thick glass bottle of Mexican vanilla given to them by some friends at church who had just returned from the country…

Then Mercy stopped by. She had heard OLeif and Curly playing music as she had been out for a walk. And so she dropped in for two glasses of ice water. She laughed with them, telling about how she was working with the youth at her new church, that she had dropped Bob off at the airport for a backpacking trip in Utah and several Ambassador of Harmony performances, and that he was planning on going to Russia with the Department of State…

Mercy handled herself so very well, and although she was quite miserable, she was happy that her mom was at peace, that she was going to see Jesus.

Then Denae and Collette drove Mercy home, as she would be leaving shortly for a youth gathering and helping to plan a float trip.

Collette was having a difficult time that afternoon. It was hard to hear about Mrs. Pretzel, the funeral preparations, hearing about how much pain she was in, remembering all the old times. It was possible, they thought, that she would be gone before the wedding.

But then OLeif took Curly and Wally down to the St. Peters park for some promo pictures, as they played at a coffee house occasionally. And as Collette followed them around the train tracks, the equestrian dirt arena, and groves of trees, she prayed. She carried the lenses and picked a tube-shaped green leaf from the ground, watched the cottonwoods rustle in the breeze high above… And she was given a peace. She thought about Mrs. Pretzel and how she would soon see Edred and Grandpa, and Jesus Himself. That was a thought! Incomprehensible, but absolutely incredible. As she walked, she was reminded once again of how no matter what came, no matter what came, God had everything in control. Everything was set out and made to be perfect for the ultimate end of all things in the universe. It was such a comforting and powerful thought. And she was at peace with it all.