A Long Goodbye

Monday was our last day in Ketchikan. John took me with him for coffee... at 6:00 AM. I've learned over the years that it is difficult to get up early, but the payoff for relationships is huge. We met with 2 other guys to discuss life and pray for one another. I was incredibly blessed. 

We spent some time shopping with all of the cruise ship tourists. Found a couple things we needed more than money. 

There also was time for closure. In 2010, while I was on sabbatical and traveling in the Dominican Republic, I learned that a close friend of mine had died in a plane crash. Josh Murdock and his wife Lorna had become great friends of ours during the 2 winters we lived in Ketchikan. Josh was a pilot and mechanic. They have 4 children. 

When I heard of his death, I was so far away and couldn't get to the funeral. A year after the crash our family made it to Ketchikan. Now, 6 years later we went again to the cemetary, this time with Lorna and her new husband, John. 

Then we drove approximately 10 miles north to the crash site. It was my first time to go there. 

They have erected a cross and planted a small garden at the spot where Josh was last. 

It still doesn't make sense. It still doesn't seem fair. I still don't like it that Josh is gone. But as I stood there with Sally, Lorna and John, I was reminded that God is still good.  God still provides. God still restores. 

I was blessed to be able to mourn with my friends. I won't ever forget Josh. But I thank God for the opportunity to say goodbye.