As I said at church worship services during our praise time on Sunday, it was 40 years ago in October when Jim was first diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

A number of years ago, Chris Lousias typed us a list on the Biblical significance of numbers:  forty is the 'symbol of testing and trial, closing in victory'.

"......the battle is done, the victory has been won....", I said.

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Taken from one of our many sympathy cards:

A MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY

by Emily Matthews

"Some people make a difference just by being who they are.

Their inner light shines bright and touches lives both near and far,

And even when they're gone, they still forever play a part

In the smiles, the priceless moments,

that are treasured in the heart."

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Hiz Kidz, an ecumenical group of school students which meet weekly on Mondays during the school year, made sympathy cards for our family last Monday. I have served as a mentor to a small group, beginning my third year; Jim helped the first year.

Many of the cards had similar notes, accompanied with their kindergarten through fifth grade drawings: "sorry for your loss"; "God loves you"; "I am praying for you". Because some of the messages were so similar and because some of the kids are so young, some leader may have written some things on a board for them to copy or be able to spell.

But the best one was from one little girl. The message, "I hope that you had fun while it lasted."

Made me stop and think:  in spite of lots of hospitalizations and illness times, I think we did have fun.

And my message to readers today:  "Are you having fun while it lasts?"

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