A Writer's Thoughts

Little Did I Know

Theology in the Trenches

By Kathleen Kjolhaug

 

Little did I know, or anybody for that matter, that Debbie wouldn’t be here today, tomorrow, or the day after that. It’s supposed to be that way, death that is. We all get that. But, we all don’t really get it or it wouldn’t be such a surprise when people we love, know, and care for die unexpectedly.

“Can you bring some soup?” asked the church lady on the other end of the line. “We need two gallons of vegetable, chili, or potato.” With phone up to ear, I walk to the fridge, and open the top freezer. I spy one huge bag of stir fry vegetables, unopened. That’ll work, I thought, and along with that came my answer.

“Yes.”

Knowing full well I hadn’t been to the grocery store for quite some time, I had forgotten the bag was there…apparently awaiting for such a time as this. Little did I know that when I purchased that very package, it would be used to make some homemade vegetable soup for Debbie’s funeral, and I began to wonder.

Little did she know that today would be the day she would get to see her youngest son, Michael, who’d gone before her some time ago. It was hard on Debbie. Perhaps the hardest pain any mama is called to endure is the loss of a child. Endure she did with dignity and love poured out on each of his classmates as if they were her own. She turned her energy towards others with her laughter and her love.

She kept home fires burning on behalf of Michael’s siblings, and created an ambience that welcomed them to home base as needed. She loved, gave, and lived love with each step taken on behalf of others…because she believed. She believed in the fine young men she was called to raise and desired so much for each one. She was proud of everything and anything they did. All around town people would find out just how deeply she loved as she would tell of the latest job, the latest military commitment, or the latest one to come home for just a little respite as life called.

She was everybody’s Debbie. She was Debbie on the playground conversing with the little ones through various stages as they struggled to find their footing. She was Debbie at Vacation Bible School plopping her three young ones in the pews to learn a few fundamentals. She was Debbie mama who provided popcorn, candles, and movies mid-winter to secure the hatch from the cold winds blowing outside. She was Debbie creating a little house into a home with some of Grandma Clara’s favorite items. She was Debbie tree planter at school helping the other little people cope with the death of her Michael. She was prom committee volunteer seeing Michael’s class through this right-of-passage. She was Debbie who chortled laughter unabashed throughout the grocery store as she enlisted conversation to others around. She was Debbie who hand stitched sets of dish towels for many a newlywed couple, for many a shower, for many a day. She was our lady in town who will be dearly missed.

You touched lives Debbie. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to so many. To God be the glory. May you enjoy every single second of running your fingers through Michael’s blonde hair as only a mama can do…as you spend eternity together…forever. Tell your dad “hello” and that the winter is mild. Blessings until we meet again.  Amen.