the coconut husk

Saw one of the most beautiful sunsets this evening when I went for my run, knew I wanted to run at Hickory Hill. It was as if God was waiting, and Meg had it all planned. Thought I was going to be alone, however it has been a year that I have come to realize on many of life’s journeys it may seem that way, and then reassured I am not. The sunset, what a reminder! It was as if it said ‘Hi Ed, knew you were coming and wanted to welcome you.’

When I write, I usually take a couple of days to get my thoughts down. Not today. With our Meg’s Miles run event this weekend and after my run this evening, I wanted to write as know you all have a heavy heart today. Ran on the road where Meg called home and was called home.   As I ran, I imagined. It was my fourth time running there, thought about the runs before. On Meg’s birthday and meeting you both Pam and Wirt, Meg’s parents. Even though it was the first time our eyes had seen each other it was if we already knew each other. I will never forget that day. By the way Pam, your hugs are the best. I stopped at the field where I had stopped before when Scott was running through Meg’s eyes in the Boston Marathon. Took another look at where I had hands on my knees and wept that day a mile into the run. I also remember not a run, rather a chance meeting that was anything but chance. I stopped by to visit after Thanksgiving and met Wirt, as we were the only ones there. We had one of the most heartwarming conversations as dads of daughters. Stories of Meg growing up, how she would chase her brothers on their bikes, what she was like as a kid and young adult, and walking her down the aisle to marry Scott. Stories can be told through the eyes, and tears of a loving father became my own. God Bless you Wirt. I’m blessed and honored to know you and Pam.

My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through the eyes of others. Reality, even seen through the eyes of many, is not enough. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.” – C.S. Lewis on seeing through eyes of others

I am blessed and honored to know you, Scott. When you ran the Boston Marathon in your wife’s stead, above is what came to mind. You are never more yourself than when you were able to see through the eyes of Meg. Tears of joy from heaven came down and became your sweat as ran with your heart and through her eyes.

As I ran this evening I thought about what an example you are of love in action. When I think about what love for someone should look like and involve, what comes to mind I’m sure is quite familiar. Namely that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Where it gets challenging is when I try this, substituting my name for each instance of the word “Love” or “it”; serves as a humbling and constant reminder of what love should resemble. Namely, an action without condition or limits, and fearless. However, behind the words, love is also a decision that has a purpose that is bigger than oneself and is selfless. You have modeled that Scott, thank you my friend.

“Love is a second life; it grows into the soul, warms every vein, and beats in every pulse.”– Joseph Addison

You all may have heard of Bart Millard, and the story about his Dad. He passed away from cancer when Bart was 19, leaving him with many questions. He struggled with why his father died and why it had to take place the way it did. Though his Dad assured him that he would be in a better place, hard for him to understand as a 19 year old and he was frustrated. A grieving son crying out to God for a clue, left him asking ‘What is so great about there that he can’t be back here?’ It set him off to thinking about what he was seeing, getting strength he never had and seeing things he couldn’t fathom here. It really brought peace and hope to Bart. In case you have not heard his name, he is the lead singer of the band MercyMe.

Still pictures, moving hearts. Empty picture frames can still carry those we love. As I imagined this evening, could not help to think what Meg can see. For Gabriel, Whitfield, and Skye I hope you will always feel the connection to your Mom. Even take a picture frame and some still pictures, go lay down in one of our scenic Hanover countryside fields and look at up at the clouds. Imagine, and know how your Mom has lifted so many on her wings.

God Bless you all,

Ed