Life Between Resurrection and Ascension

Do you see the rainbow reminding us that storms cannot take away our hope and God's promise.

For me it is more than symbolic that my mother passed away between resurrection Sunday and Ascension Day - she left us and reminds us that we remain here between these two pillars of existence. So how did Jesus' followers feel after they saw him bodily go up into the sky? They had been together with him for about 3 years almost daily. But I knew no life without my mother somewhere, near or far, still playing an important role in my life. Now I have to find a life between resurrection and ascension, a life in which I remember her and anticipate seeing her again.

Help has come from different sources. The Bible and prayer play primary roles. A little book by N.T. Wright, "Following Jesus, Reflections on Biblical Discipleship" has been very helpful in clairifying misunderstandings about life after this life. And a CD I seldom heard has reminded me that for Christians, when we see God directly and see our family and friends again, knowing there will never be a separation ever again, it is a time, an existence of matchless joy and celebration, described in the Bible as a giant feast with the best foods and wine and lots of dancing. In other words, you cannot imagine having a better time. And all our family and friends who have passed out of this life now enjoy this feast, and they also long for us to join them, and they know we will join them, sooner or later.

So for me, this time of waiting is a part of the "sting of death" Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 15, the emotional grief and pain of separation that should also remind us: this is the last thing that God will remove, and then it is all over. No more pain, grief, separation, tears, fear, insecurity, or wondering what will happen.

Elegy of love and hope

My Mother at Central Market in Fort Worth in August 2004

My Mother at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth in March 2005

Our last visit to the family cemetary in January 2007. Now she has joined the rest of our family to await the resurrection.

You are my first thought when I wake,

when I see pictures of you, I get weak,

I know right away if anything I do or experience would make you laugh or smile,

And I think of everything I want to tell you every day,

I recognize gifts that would touch you,

And remember restaurant meals you would like,

but none of these things can change the bitter reality;

for you are gone.




When will I ever see you again?

Yet I still feel your presence every day

knowing what you say

seeing the look in your face

that speaks volumes to someone you love;

When will I take you in my arms again

and know that I am finally where I belong?



When the trumpets sound

And I lay my head the last time down

Then I will redeem my love and longing

As I feel your true face the Maker fit you with from eternity,

As I hear your real voice with my perfect ears;

We will dance again like in that dance class,

But this time there will be no stumbling,

For you have taught me all the moves,

And in our resurrection bodies we will dance before the Author of the unconditional love you always showed me,

And no tears will ever again fall as we embrace with our immortal arms of love.