The Reuniting

This Christmas I stumbled across this precious photo of Landen and I. My dad felt the need to frame it for me, so it now sits in my Living Room to remind me I will see Landen again someday soon. One may look at this picture and assume it was taken years and years ago but it was taken only 20 years ago in front of my dad's old chevy truck. It was an unforgetable moment of reuniting!
At the age of 2 1/2 I remember the day Landen was born. March 1, 1985. I remember holding his little warm body with the help of my dad, then later getting donuts with Dad and Grandma Reynolds while we let Landen and Mom "rest". Even with the superb idea of eating donuts with Dad and Grandma I had a difficult time leaving the hospitol. I felt such a great sense of responsiblity for my new baby brother and I didn't want anything to harm him. Many of you may not know but my brother nearly died at birth. The doctor and my dad prayed over him and he was made well! He was a miracle from the beginning! The Lord knew I needed a brother like Landen and the world needed a man like him as well.
Not long ago I was sitting in another funeral where I heard, "A life is not measured with time but impact." Landen left an incredible impact upon so many lives...the greatest in mine and I am so thankful God saw fit that Landen was my brother.

So...as you can see we were close siblings from DAY1. I helped feed and care for him, corrected him when he chose to suck his fingers, spoke for him and taught him everything I thought he needed to know. We were inseparable buddies! Then when I was 4 and he was 2 my grandparents asked me to go on a vacation with them to Michigan. I loved to travel...and still do...so with my parents' permission I went. I don't remember how long I was gone but I rememebr learning that napping in the car makes the time go by faster for long trips, painting toenails with my Aunt Debbie and hanging out with my cousin Stephen...but most of all I remember reuniting with my brother. I missed him so much. The trip had been so much fun but would have been even better with the presence of my little buddy. What I didn't know is how much more Landen missed me. Mom said every time the trains would pass Landen would run to the window, peer through the curtains and watch for me to return. Many days passed and Landen ran to the window, peered through the curtains and saw my grandparents' silver Buick pull into the driveway. A little boy with very words simply expressed his sheer happiness by jumping up and down several times, then running out the door to greet his sister. Hugs and happiness were overflowing that day of reuniting!

Now, it is my turn to be left behind and I wait...maybe not running to the window and peering through the curtains at the sound of every train whistle...but I wait. I wait to see Landen again. He is with Jesus now and I know he is having the time of his life in heaven, scoping out all the places to go and things to do so that we do not waste a moment (he was ALWAYS big on that!). It will be an excellent reuniting...and I can't wait!
...I won't need another picture either because after that day there will be no more parting!