61

Yesterday would have been my father's 61st birthday. I mention this because my family got together to remember my father and eat lunch (and we even ended up eating dinner together). We reminesced and shared some of our fond memories of my father. My mom mentioned that this was the first month that she did not visit his grave on the 2nd (this past December 2nd marked the 7 month period). We instead ended up visiting on the 5th (what would have been his birthday). I thought about this later. I must confess that the 2nd came and went without me thinking of May 2nd. I think this is because I was fixated on the fact that December 5th was coming quickly. In different ways each month I am moving on with the grief process, but there are moments and days where I revert back to day 1 all over again. I had a very hard time sleeping last night. The people in the apartment directly across from our bedroom side of the apartment were being loud drunks (very loud), and I was wrestling in my mind with the final afternoon of my father's life. Seven months later. Funny that those thoughts pop into my head when I least expect them to. Whenever I get disgruntled, sad, or angry about my father I remember these wonderful words from Scripture:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Death has lots its sting. Jesus took care of our sin & death problem on the cross if we will repent and trust Him fully for salvation because He not only died on the cross for our sin (lying, stealing, greed, anger, etc...), but also He rose from the grave on the 3rd day defeating the power of sin, death, and hell to all who believe. Hope you will be like my dad and put your trust in Jesus before your time is up. Good day.

-Fei