It started like any other call. Brief introductions and then down to business. I’ve done the routine so many times now nothing about any of it seems new or surprises me. I’m going to find out what they have, what they need, and I’m going to look for anything in my tool box that can help them. Then I’m on to the next. Same process, different name. Nothing new. Nothing unique.

So when I asked if he was taking any prescription medications and he responded that he wasn’t it didn’t surprise me. It wasn’t until I said, “Wow, that’s really great, I don’t think many at your age of 82 could say that!” He just laughed and said, “Ya well, I’m supposed to be taking a lot of medications, but I stopped taking them a long time ago.” Now that confused me. I thought I may have heard him wrong. But I hadn’t. He said what he said. I said, well that’s not good, and then asked him why he wasn’t taking his medications? My brain immediately went to possible reasons, like maybe too expensive, or maybe he couldn’t make it to a pharmacy? Maybe they didn’t have any mail order programs available? I immediately kicked into Problem Solving Mode. 

Finally, after listening me go on a bit about the importance of him taking his medications, he said, “Look, my wife died a year ago…I’ve got nothing left here. Now I’m just waiting on a rainbow.” I asked what he meant by that, waiting on a rainbow. He said, “Death is promised to us all…some of us just get that promise earlier than others.” That gave me pause. I didn’t know how to even respond to that. Eventually I muster up a, “I get it.” Then I moved on.

Now I’m just waiting on a rainbow.” I asked what he meant by that, waiting on a rainbow. He said, “Death is promised to us all…some of us just get that promise earlier than others.”

I’ve thought about that call a lot in the last few months. The man lost his wife and for him, having lived a full life, he was ready to go. Didn’t want modern medicine to save him or prolong his life. In some ways I’ve felt bad for him. In others, I just smile. What must it feel like to know you’ve had the best of it and are ready? 

I don’t know if the man was a good man. I don’t know if he actually lived a good life. If he loved and appreciated the woman he was with while she was here, or if he’s living out his last days in regret. What I do know is that after that conversation I’ve thought differently about rainbows. Thought a bit differently about life. Some may claim it’s about seizing the day! But I think it’s about more than that. More of an appreciation and acceptance. A Thankfulness of the time spent and of the ability to be present in the process.

So during this holiday season, I’d encourage you to really dig in deep when it comes to sharing the days with your loved ones. Cook the meals, trim the trees, exchange the presents, be merry. Enjoy the time you get to spend with your friends and family. For the time will come soon enough for all of us when we’ll be waiting for a rainbow…

Copyright©2023 Jacob C. Larson All Rights Reserved

***I know this time of year brings mixed emotions for some people. It was never my intent in this blog to make things worse for anyone who reads it. I know people have suffered loss and how painful it can be at times to put on the face of “being merry” or tHanKfUl when everything inside you is screaming differently. All I’d say is that I do wish you well and am praying that you’ll find some peace during this Holiday Season. Make it a Celebration of the life we have, the life we’ve lived, and with excited anticipation of what is to come. For me…I really hope I’m given the strength to go out swinging with a smile on my face. With no fear. Salud!