Last Words

With the exception of a quick photo post on New Year's Eve, this is my last blog post of 2013. When considering various topics for my last post, I started thinking about last words.

When Steve left our Calumet house to drive out to the property on Saturday, we kissed each other and expressed our love to each other. His hands were full, so I opened the door for him and he left. I turned to go back inside the house and locked the door behind me. I started to walk away when I had a thought. Oh, I want to do some laundry; the snow is getting really deep outside. I wonder if the area around the dryer vent is clear of snow. I went back to the door and poked my head outside. Steve was in the vehicle and about to leave, but he saw me and rolled down the window. I asked, "Is the dryer vent shoveled out?" He replied, "Yes." OK, back in the house. I walked across the living room and had another thought. I went out to the kitchen, picked up the phone and dialed his cell number. He answered and I heard his sweet voice ask, "Yeesss, did I forget something?" I replied, "No. If one of us died, I didn't want my last words to be, 'Is the dryer vent shoveled out?' " We both laughed, told each other we loved each other again and hung up.

Last words are important. I lost my first husband suddenly, and Steve lost his son, Allen, suddenly. We've talked many times about the importance of our last words to our loved ones and have discussed how grateful we are that our last words to them were expressions of love. It's a habit Steve and I practice whenever we part.

2013 was like most other years. It brought various life events and experiences that were mostly joyful, sometimes sorrowful, painful and occasionally stressful, but the Lord continually reminded us of His presence. Nothing ever takes Him by surprise, and He's proved to us that we can rely on Him through good times and bad. That's why I can end the year with my usual last words: "All is well in the Keweenaw."