(All photos and pictures adapted from photos are mine unless noted. You can bring the pictures up in full screen by double clicking on any image. Click on a border to return.)
The photo below reminded me of being present at the death of a man who neglected his body and yet God used him to reveal a great truth to me. The poem following the picture tells the story better than I can with my meanderings in the realms of prose. I cannot tell you why the photograph brought up those memories, I can only acknowledge the pull to find the poem again and share it with you.
- Nelson –
Nelson
died today at thirty-four,
Because
he ignored his body’s warnings.
While
he hoped to start life anew in these Northern Reaches,
He
forgot that immortality lies beyond, not in this short life.
I
bow to you my now deceased fellow traveler,
You
had much to give me, even though you couldn’t speak.
Did
you know your role in our short interaction ...........
Perhaps
God’s Intention for your life was to be my teacher today.
Only
two attended your bedside in those final minutes,
A
cousin from the Midwest, and I, a stranger.
The
nurse disconnected the machines with quiet attention,
No
fanfare, no gasps, and two minutes later you met your Creator.
As
I bow to you Nelson,
I
bow to the One who gave us both life.
I
bow to Jesus whose peaceful face
I
saw reflected in your dying today.
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Frankfort is a very small town of around one thousand some twenty miles from where we live in the Bangor area. By small I mean just that as the photo below shows the entire village center save for the post office, a small building on the right of its sign. One can drive through Frankfort at twenty five miles per hour in maybe six or seven seconds. But the town has a certain aura in spite of its aging structures I can only describe as something less than the fabled New England charm so well touted. I do enjoy going through when I go down towards the bright lights of Belfast as there is nothing pretentious about Frankfort - the place has a sense of honesty about it.
Enough words, I will let the pictures speak for the town.
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A small eatery in Winterport, Maine.
Next time through I intend to stop and give it a try.
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Some humor - the mother I never had -
Peace until next week,
Bill Lagerstrom
