I sat in a chair staring at the coffin that was in front of me. The cold crisp January air blew across my face, I heard the chilling melody of “Taps”. I was in a trance like state when I saw a solider kneeling before me handing me the American Flag they had just folded. I laid it in my lap , my hands trembling.I was numb on the outside but screaming on the inside. IT’S A REPLAY, IT’S A REPLAY, my insides screamed. Almost 40 years earlier in this very cemetery I had heard the haunting tune of “Taps” the soliders giving me an America Flag . At that time ,my young husband had fallen in the jungles of Vietnam. He had been killed by a sniper as the helicopter he was flying lifted wounded soliders to safety. I remembered my small son sitting beside me devastated and trying so hard to be a brave little solider.Now, he sat beside me again trying to comfort me and his younger brother . I wondered if he felt as I did, that it was a horrible replay of the past.
I continued to stare at the coffin that contained the lifeless body of my beloved husband Jim. Why did this happen? He was so healthy and full of life until the silent killer of colon cancer had made him sick. He had tried with every fiber of his being to survive, his family needed him. Dustin, our son, was battling brain cancer and Jim knew how terrified we were of losing him and how much we all loved him. We had spent 36 wonderful years together, I didn’t know how I would ever survive the loss and pain that was before me. He suffered so much in the end. The pain he endured was unbearable and I knew he kept hanging on because of us. I heard our pastor as he talked about what a good man Jim had been, how much he loved the Lord and his family and his selfless service and leadership in the community.The cemetery was packed with people but they seemed to be a blur. Somewhere in the distance I heard a rooster crow. I shook, not so much from the cold but from all the grief and pain. I looked up into the clear blue sky and said a silent prayer. “Please God”, I pleaded, Just let me know he’s okay and not hurting anymore”. Suddenly without any warning two commercial jet planes were streaking across the western sky to form a perfect cross.”Thank you,Lord,” I whispered, you have given me an answer,I now know he is safe in your arm’s”. I hugged the flag close to my breast, God had heard my cry and I felt such peace.