Photo by Anup Mishra
Dancing to 800*
In an empty room, alone at the Y,
I see myself in the mirrored glass.
Tall, too thin, graying, and sunken cheeks.
Not the dancing girl of my high school years.
As the song elicits a movie in my mind,
I step aboard a heaven-bound train.
Dancing with gliding steps around the room,
curving, serpentine tracks appear.
Over hills and cities, to children and friends,
I travel to my loves and long to embrace them.
Torn between two worlds, taking one final glance,
while the train keeps moving, moving…away.
Loving the people and places where I’ve been,
while recalling both traumas and wonders.
Remembering loved ones gone on before me.
Wishing to see them and be done with trouble.
Heaven or earth? Both have beauty and laughter.
So much to live for. Do I jump off the train?
Only one place has Jesus. I think He is calling,
and the train is gaining more speed…
*Song “800” by Nylon Moon
© 2024 gratefulsue
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“Growing old gracefully” is not something I do well naturally. I have to work at it. I confess, I’m a complainer. I miss being younger, healthier, “cooler” (excuse my poor grammar), and especially “having all the right answers.” The older I get, the more complex the answers have become, to all the tough questions in life. I find that I am impatient with shallow or cliché answers more frequently now.
Imagine being able to look at history, and one’s own life story, through God’s eyes. The older I become, the more appealing Heaven becomes, because of the prospect of learning God’s answers to my personal list of tough questions. I’m so grateful for the written testimony we have concerning Jesus’ teachings and life. He has made Heaven a more believable and accessible concept through His life and testimony. When my time comes, it will be a joy to see Him face to face.