I am grieving. My friends are grieving. A dear man has exchanged the corruptible for the incorruptible, and left us reeling.

Positive though we may be that he now dwells in that "species beyond", nevertheless our finite minds stubbornly refuse to adapt. We constantly slip into believing that he is here...and constantly feel that sick jolt of re-knowing his absence.

There's no describing the weight of feelings, except to note that they are mostly poignant gladnesses for his sake. And burdened fears for the sakes of those who relied on him.

"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isaiah 35:10