Skip Fish was many things. He was a friend, a father, a husband, a sponsor, a mentor, a counselor, a sounding board, a fighter, and loved life. His friends and family watched cancer do terrible things to his body over an extended period of time and all the while Skip fought the good fight, kept his head held high, and forged ahead until he was finally taken from this world.
Often times when life gets rocky, I wonder what Skip would say. I have wished so many times for that ear to bend, that friend to go have Saturday morning breakfast with, the emails with tidbits of wisdom or a joke. I miss the hugs, the random frog trinkets, the pots of coffee.
I had a dream about him last night. The funny thing is that I usually don’t remember my dreams but – this one – this one I remember so vividly I have to remind myself it was a dream.
I was in the mall, eating in the food court. I looked up and saw Skip walking about. When I spotted him and looked in his eyes, he was looking back at me. His eyes were twinkling and there was a grin on his face. He was tan, he was of average build, he had a glow about him, he was happy, he was alive, and he was whole. No signs of cancer, not the shell of a man the cancer turned his body into, not frail, walking tall and without assistance. I sat there stunned and amazed, questioning myself if it could really be Skip – then he was gone. I somehow talked to him later and I apologized for not contacting him sooner that I had thought him dead for over 2 years now. During our conversation, he told me it was ok and that he understood. It was as if no time at all had passed and I had my friend back.
This morning as I was driving to work the dream came rushing back to me and I wept in rush hour traffic. I cry again now. The comforting change is that I cry not only because I miss my dear friend but because I know he’s ok. He doesn’t hurt anymore, he doesn’t suffer anymore, he’s whole again and he’s still here watching over me. These are not just tears of sorrow but tears of joy, comfort, peace, and assurance.
Joy for Skip being healed. Comfort that the ones we love are taken care of when they have to leave us. Peace that Skip is still watching over me. Assurance that God is among us.
Surely God is here and among us. He reminded me of his awesome power. He reminded me that he will take care of us all. He reminded me that all will be set right, we must be patient, be good stewards, keep the faith. It is a season of preparing.
Watching the story of centuries past still play out today as we await His return.
Watching, waiting, preparing.
