Stepping Over

Arthur Freeman Barber

March 24, 1921 - March 28, 2007

My Dad's life Journey has taken on a new Reality. He has now entered into a 'place' beyond space and time as we know it - passed into eternity, last Wednesday just after 2:00 pm, with Mom holding him, my sisters Beth and Muriel gathered 'round - and Bill, Muriel's husband, singing the words and echoing the sentiments of one of Dad's favorite hymns of God's Presence, love and keeping power - playing quietly on a cassette recorder at bedside.

I got there about 10 minutes later but I had said my good-bye(s) so many times in recent weeks.

The next day I felt like I'd been hit by a truck.

It's been an awesome week - with all of the details one can imagine, and family preparation, gathering, vigil and remembrance, and greeting hundreds who waited patiently for almost two hours in long lines at the visitation at Smith's, Sunday afternoon and evening. And then the farewell from Dad's church and the long car-line, police-escorted trip to Greenwood Cemetery to lay his body to rest - awaiting the Great Day.

I had no sense of leaving Dad in the cold earth, as we were driven by funeral coach back to the church and to a further reception of friends and family; for, indeed, he is not there - only his now soul-less body 'thumbprint,' as it were, of one who's real existence continues elsewhere - perhaps not far away, in the greater Beyond.

And the Hope of seeing again is firm within me - not merely born of credal word or magical thinking, but imparted somehow as a firm, strangely settled Peace, sprung from a faith that is sheer gift ('cause I don't think I could normally manufacture it, given the circumstances). I say this, not in any way to boast, but humbly to give thanks - for God's sustaining power for me, for all of us.

I say thanks, too, for the privilege of living all these years with a father who, again, by God's grace, was a truly good man.