--MYSTERIOUS WAYS~~
-[MORE THAN COINCIDENCE]

--OUR FAMILY FILLED DAD'S room at the care home, surrounding his bed. Dad was 92 and in the final stages of Alzheimer's. We knew it was almost his time, but he seemed determined to hang on. His heels were literally digging into the bed.

What would make this easier for him? I took his hand, remembering a peculiar story Mom told me. Over the last few years, as Dad declined, he would ask why his parents and siblings who had already passed on weren't helping Mom with his care. He mentioned a few of them by name, including his sis, my Aunt Arina, who had died of a heart attack more than 19 years earlier. Dad had been the youngest boy out of nine siblings. Six of them had already died. It was like he knew they were waiting to greet him when he was ready.

"It's okay to go," I said to Dad. "You parents and sisters and brothers are waiting for you. Don't worry about Mom. We'll take care of her."

Later that evening, around 11 P.M., Dad died. His body was just too tired to fight on any longer despite his stubbornness.

The next morning, my family members planned to meet at my parent's old farmhouse. 'Is Dad at peace? He seemed so determined to hang on...', I wondered on my drive over.

That evening, my family and I went back to my place to eat some dinner. We sat down and checked the voice mails people had left on the house phone. Caller ID said the name of each caller in a robotic tone before the message played. First was my nephew Larry. The second message had no ID. A woman's voice came on. One that I recognized.

"Arina Faske," said the voice. That was all. Then the caller ID robotically announced the next message, from my cousin Edna.

We stared at each other in disbelief. Aunt Arina? I ran to the answering machine and played the message back. There was no mistaking it. That was her name on the voicemail. Stated in her distinctive voice.

I wasn't looking for a sign. But now there was no doubt in my mind that Dad had been reunited with everyone in Heaven, Face to Face with our Lord and Savior, Jesus.~~

--Guideposts/EB~ /--"HE WILL CARRY YOU"--/ Scott Wesley Brown ~~ /<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh3WuenttBM>
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