To a husband and wife who remained faithful, I thank you…
Leaving that which you know is tough. Venturing out from the protective wings of family and familiarity is a trepidatious trek for even the bravest of souls. My wife and I were no different. When we made the decision to depart the ever familiar landscape of Central Virginia for the unknown tumbleweeds of Texas…we were scared. It was late summer.
Flash forward to late fall. Christmas shopping was in full force and clinquant Christmas chimes were singing their song to all who would listen. This was without a doubt going to be a tough Christmas. My father had just died less than three weeks ago and I was going to be spending Christmas away from my mother and brothers. It was truly Jamie and I versus the cold, cold world. It was 80 degrees outside…
I fired up our economical Chevy Malibu Classic, tuned into NPR, and hoped Garrison Keillor’s soothing voice could make me feel at home whilst I headed to the post office. I arrived at the post office just as Guy Noir was about to solve the case…
I swigged down my hot coco, complete with mini marshmallows, and headed inside. As I opened the mystery box and reached inside I noticed something…one of the envelopes felt stiff and was larger than those around it. It was deep red with pine green trim. The colors smiled at me and were a welcome contrast to the black and white mediocrity of bills, bank statements, and blanket requests for donations. I walked outside…the sun which had been fading was now gone from site.
I climbed back into my car and was catching the news from Lake Wobegon as I opened this Christmas treasure. It was a greeting card from Rachel and Calvin McGahey. A simple, everyday average greeting card with two hand written signatures at the bottom in bright blue ink. Nothing special, nothing amazing…and yet it was everything…amazing. It felt as if home itself was hugging me. And for that moment the world seemed more like a warm blanket than it did a deserted iceberg. A smile crept over my face…Mr. Keillor signed off.
I headed home to share this precious gift with my beautiful wife. She read it and looked up at me with those stunning eyes, tisked her tongue on the roof of her mouth and in her cute girlish voice that I love so much exclaimed… “Awwwwwwwww….they’re so sweet”. She proceeded to place the card on a table, in a position of prominence amidst our tiny dwelling. More cards and love followed…but theirs was the first.
As the years wore on, Rachel and Calvin were always faithful with their card ministry. Our Anniversary, birthday’s, etc…they never let us forget that we, at least in some small way, were still thought of back home, still loved, and still a small part of their lives. I am so thankful for people like Rachel that are faithful until the very end.
Heaven just got a little brighter…and Thomas Terrace Baptist Church lost, if only for a little while, a great saint. May her legacy burn bright and may others follow her example in love and grace.
And to Calvin…her husband…press on brother…fight the good fight until God calls you come as well. Weep not dear brother…your angel awaits you soon.
