The week before last my Mom and my siblings (3) and I, along with our families, sorted through Dad's stuff.    Pop passed away in late April, and Mom is moving in order to down-size since she no longer needs all that extra space and lawn to look after.     I must say it was a chore.  In some ways it was sad.  It was not easy.   And, yet, for me anyway, it provided further closure on Dad's death; and, it provided yet another cathartic experience.    I was also blessed and impressed how sixteen of us could go about this difficult, emotional process and still act civil and come out still friends!     I never heard one negative toward each other the whole three days of work.  In fact, when it came to dividing up Pop's personal items, etc. there was only grace and graciousness expressed.    Of course, as someone reflected, if we would of had one more day  together"we might have witnessed a homicide!"

Dividing up Dad's personal items was difficult, but it has been very special to possess some of the material things that belonged to Pop.    In fact, as I write this blog I am wearing one of my Dad's shirts.   I was also privileged to receive his beloved autoharp (which he often played and I sometimes accompained him on guitar), a watch, and the family clock....which the chiming conjures up many childhood memories.      I know Jesus tells us to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth, but in this case I believe these treasures are heaven-related, as they remind me of my Dad, who is in heaven with his Savior and Lord.   It is not so much that the things, in and of themselves, are valued/treasured.  Rather, they hold great value because they belonged to one whom I loved and respected deeply.     They serve as a connector, a bridge, with Pop.  Which reminds me of a great spiritual truth I once heard.   It goes something like this:   There are only two things on this earth that are eternal - - the Word of God and the human soul.     Something to think about and something to guide our living and our priorities.   What do we truly treasure?