Anticipation

Early Friday evening Mom and Dad returned home after Dad's MRI. Dad was starving. Now, those of you that know Dad understand how vitally important his need for a good hearty meal is. My Dad has never been what you would call "husky." Needless to say, I did not inherit his metabolism. Regardless, Dad was craving a big-ol' chili dog!

Mom, loving wife that she is, fixed Dad the best looking hot dog you can imagine. We're talking about a dripping, gooey mound of chili and slaw. It was beautiful enough to make a vegetarian convert to a carnivore.

Then the phone rang.

Mom answered and Dad knew immediately that she was talking to the neurologist. He listened intently with his untouched chili dog sitting on the tray in his lap. That's when he heard Mom say "He has a brain tumor?"

To most, this would be a crushing blow. A death sentence. To Dad it was something entirely different.

Dad told my Mom that when he heard those words come out of her mouth, he was overcome with excitement. He knew what a brain tumor meant and for him that meant he would see his Savior soon.

This is my Dad. A man living in the light of eternity. A man not afraid of death but rather running toward the finish line. A man who fully understands that "perfect love casts out fear."

Mom, holding it together, as much as can be expected, called the EMS to pick Dad up and take him to Wake Med. The 911 operator told her to make sure he did not eat or drink anything.

Mom snatched that chili dog off of Dad's lap so fast that even Oscar Meyer could feel the wind from it. This would become the most unbearable thing that Mom had ever done to Dad in 36 years of marriage and believe it when I say that everyone he has come into contact with for the last three days has heard the chili dog story. I think, perhaps, he still wants that chili dog.

So, here we sit awaiting Dad's surgery which will happen at 2:00 today. We are hopeful and have absolute faith in our Lord. This is a win-win situation. We will either get to keep the man we love for a little while longer or he will get to see his Savior and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant."