When Common Becomes Uncommon

Much of life is lived in relatively predictable circumstances. Then, suddenly news arrives that shatters our normal. We close our eyes, partly in an attempt to resist the shock, and partly to shut out reality. But, because we must see to move forward, we open them again to discover common things have taken on uncommon meanings. Such was the unexpected news of the passing of Jimmie Don Ulrich, my friend since our early teenage years. He called to tell me he had cancer and was given four to six weeks to live. I was to have visited with him last Tuesday. He died on Monday. Last Friday, less than three weeks from the call, I officiated his memorial service. Our meeting has been postponed until we meet again, when we are both, “absent from the body” and “present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). My memorial message was largely filled with memories punctuated with scripture – common life things now, with uncommon meanings. Following his tour as a Cobra Helicopter pilot in Viet Nam (where he was awarded over thirty medals of valor), he sold cars for a living. I bought most of mine from him. He always had something ready for me. I never gave much thought to how we will get around in heaven, and now I will give it even less thought. Whatever the heavenly transportation is, Jim Ulrich will have something waiting for me when I arrive. Until then . . .