Another day, another funeral.

March 31st a wonderful friend and man of God passed away, after suffering from a horrible debilitating disease for over 2 years. I went to his funeral- my first funeral since James'- and cried and worshipped the whole way through.

Murray had been our MPP for years, then a familiar voice on CKNX as Farm Editor. I remember getting the MPPs' Christmas postcards in the mail as a child, then hearing his wonderful sonorous voice from the radio while milking cows, or cleaning stables through my teen years.

Ironically, at the age of 23, I met the young man who would become my husband, and as I got to know him, I found out he was related to Murray through his mother's side! Years passed, and we moved to live on Brian's family farm, now owned by his brother. We started going to church in the nearby town. I met, and became friends with a wonderful woman by the name of Stephanie, and as our friendship grew, I found out she was Murray's daughter! Murray and his wife also attended the same church, and I was blessed to get to know them personally, and to be blessed by this wonderful man's faith and attitude.

James loved him. He would start chuckling the moment Murray's booming voice came within hearing range. Whether it was at church, or on the radio, James KNEW his friend Murray. After Murray became ill, we prayed and worried while Dr after Dr failed to discover the diagnosis. Murray finally became dependant upon a g-tube for nourishment.

James was thrilled. It may seem odd to others, but finally, James' good friend had something James had! And James didn't consider his g-tube to be an issue! I was able to share James' excitement with Murray, and even though by this time Murray was having trouble speaking, the smile that spread across his face and the sound of his deep chuckles remain with me even now.

So I praised and wept my way through Murray's funeral, never once looking at the date on the program. Until the final hymn.

April 4, 2009.

8 months to the day since James met the Lord.

I lost it. Seriously. Thankfully no one heard my sobs coming from inside the church library where I hid.

Afterwards, at the reception, I told Murray's wife, Pat, that I knew in my heart that James had been waiting at the Gate to welcome his friend Murray to Heaven. There's no way a friend of James' would not get a hero's welcome. No way.

Two friends. Healed.

Not in the way we had hoped when we prayed fervently for healing, but in the way that God knew was best.

And that's ok. It really is. For God has numbered our days before we are even created in the womb. And God knows what He's doing. Thank you Father, for healing two friends, and for comforting us as we grieve their absence from our lives.