Dave FINALLY was able to phone yesterday.  It was soooooo good to talk to him.  He’s fine!  Things are going good.  He was only given about 5 minutes on the phone because apparently it is extremely expensive to phone from Jordan.  I was selfish and didn’t even tell the kids he had called until we were done talking!  Aren’t I horrible?  Anyway, he had been able to tour a lot and had seen a lot of really neat sites.  He was able to see where Jesus Christ is believed to have been baptized.  I asked him if it was strange to have people who are not even Christians showing him places where Christ walked.  He said that most of the way people over there live is rooted on tradition, not on religion.  He sounded excited to tell us more about everything when he gets home.  I was just so relieved to hear his voice.

      My mom and I have had a lot of conversations that draw a correlation between Dave being overseas and my Daddy being dead.  It sounds so strange, but there are so many.  She has always wanted to have a “beyond the grave” experience.  Through me wanting a phone call from Dave, I’ve realized how much she wants her phone call.  Just an “I got here safe and sound.  I really am where I planned on going, and things are what I expected them to be, and better.”

     Even when my dad was hospitalized, right before he died, my mom listened to the audio from her mother’s funeral when my Daddy gave the closing prayer.  He pretty much bares his testimony of the plan of salvation and life after death.  That has gotten mom through soooo much.

      Anyway, last night Boston and I were talking.  I told her that I am sorry that she didn’t get to talk to Dad and that it was probably selfish of me.  She said that it was okay and that she felt like she had talked to him because I had talked to him.  I told her I could see her point, that what she had really wanted was to know that he was okay and now we did.  She said, “Mom, I think we BOTH knew he was okay BEFORE he called.  We just wanted to hear his voice and hear him say it.  AND we had expected it.”  I guess that’s the bottom line for my mom.  She already knows my Daddy is safe and sound.  She already KNOWS he got where he was going and that things are what he expected them to be, and better.  I know that Mom still longs to hear his voice and hear him say it all outloud.  But in her heart of hearts, she already knows what he would say to her.  I don't know if she "expected it," but you don't go from being such a huge part of each other's lives to nothing without it hurting.

     I know that the Comforter has helped it not to hurt so much.  But I am also glad to know that one day they will be in each other's arms again and can have eternity together.  And this lifetime will feel like,"but a small moment," to quote my Daddy's prayer at Grandma's funeral and many prophets.