2 March 2002
Subject: The Dark Blue Suit
Top of the morning to you on this glorious Saturday. Don't
we all have so much to be thankful for? Isn't it great just to be alive?
Tuesday morning, Leavon and I were about to get dressed to
attend the funeral of an elderly gentleman from our church when she asked,
"What are you going to wear, today?" I replied, "I'm going to
wear my dark blue suit." She then, reminded me that I didn't always wear my
dark blue suit to funerals, but that sometimes I even wore a sport coat with
slacks.
In thinking back to other funerals I had attended recently,
I remembered that, indeed, I had not always worn the dark blue suit. It wasn't
that I wanted to dress more colorful on those occasions, it was that I was just
not in the mood to wear the dark blue suit on that particular day.
But, why the dark blue suit today? Was it my mood? Was it
the weather? I really don't know why I reached in and pulled out the dark blue
suit to wear to this funeral. After all, I was feeling good, myself, even
though the weather outside was quite blustery and cold. I knew, however, I would
be in good company at the church wearing my dark blue suit since most of the
other gents there would be wearing suits, as well.
When we arrived at the church, I looked around to see about
at least half the men folks there wearing some kind of dark suit. I thought to
myself, "See, you were right!" Then I took a closer look at those
wearing dark blue suits like mine.... they were mostly all old men....
older than the hills. I asked myself, "Has this anything to do with me
getting somewhat older?"
As we approached the front of the church and looked down
into the open casket, I first looked at the wonderfully aged face of this
92 year-old man. Then, immediately, my eyes were drawn to the dark blue suit the
deceased was wearing. It was exactly like mine... even had the light red
pinstripe woven into the blue material. My thoughts raced back in time and to
recollections of my own father.... and then it hit me.... I was wearing a
dark blue suit almost exactly like the one my father owned and was buried
in..... the only difference was that his suit had a light blue pinstripe where
mine was red.
As I reflect back on the happenings of this past week, I am
reminded that although many things change from generation to generation, some
things seem to remain the same... dark blue suits are worn by old, grey-headed
men to funerals.
In looking into the mirror of life, I realize that after all
these years, I now have become my father's son.... dark blue suit and all.
Have a GREAT Saturday and don't forget to take another
marble out of the jar.
Blessings!!
Don
