Your Table Is Ready

Part 1

Have you ever been Out to Dinner?

We made the mistake of arriving at the restaurant already hungry. The smells
wafting through the car park and we hadn't even entered the doorway yet.
Usually we would have had a late snack, just to ward off the grumbling
tummies while reading the menu. The menu! With mouth-watering descriptions
of the banquet to come. Choosing anything you want without looking at the
prices on the right hand side. For me, picking the dessert, before having
eaten dinner, knowing that dessert is the best part of the meal.

When entering the door we were mortified to find a queue; other diners
waiting to be seated. You could tell who had their snack before coming, they
were waiting patiently. While the others like ourselves were hopping around
looking ahead, eagerly checking out the progress, anticipating the time we
would have to wait before being seated.

Everything seemed to be going so slow. Yet, really, in its own time it
wouldn't be long before we would be enjoying the meals that the earlier
diners had already chosen from their menu. The people ahead move along as
the waiter seats the next diners. We realise that we are waiting for other
diners to leave to make room for the clean up crew and then for the new
guests to be seated.

It all seemed to be going like clockwork. As one set finish, another set
take their place. And finally it is our turn. It is announced that our table
is ready. We are seated. The waiter takes our order and walks of to the
kitchen giving us a moment or two to say Grace,

"Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your many blessings bestowed upon us over our lifetime.
Bless the people who are near and dear to us. And those who are not, but so
much need, your blessings.
Bless the nurses and doctors who have kept me safe, with your guidance I
have come this far.
Bless the teachers who have developed my learning, to appreciate all good
things.
Bless the food and all those who were involved in helping you bring it to
our table.

Amen"


Part 2

Now at a much grander restaurant is another Dinner Feast.

It is with much relief that I can announce that at 10.15am this morning,
Saturday 22nd March 2003, Gaelon passed away peacefully in his sleep.

It is as if -
"Death is like God's way of saying,
Gaelon, Your Table Is Ready."

Can you imagine the feast?

As Gaelon looks around the restaurant he recognizes many of the faces. There
is Ruth a teacher from school, boy how she glows and doesn't she have a
splendid warm and welcoming smile. There is Kylie his playmate from when he
was 2, she looks fit and well now. There is Paul, mums’ friend from work, who
helped Gaelon with his Playstation Games, along with many other warm and
welcoming faces.

People Gaelon had loved and known, along with people who loved and knew him,
were all there to welcome him home. It is amazing to see how many lives have
been touched by one soul.

Gaelon's grandfather calls over to Gaelon, "Gaelon, Gaelon, come, take a
seat with us at our table."
Gaelon joins the family's table while others closed around to welcome him
home and the Festivities begin.

While, we here, will dearly miss Gaelon, you can see he is safely home.

The very kindest regards

Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we are here we might as well dance.