Here Comes Goodbye
These past few days have been full of emotion, confusion, and grace. As we learned that the days of Jim's treatment were behind us, and hospice was to begin, we now know that goodbye is around the corner.

It is not as surprising as it is just brutally real. I mean, being honest with ourselves, we knew 16 months ago that Jim was terminally ill; and at that time we were uncertain he would ever be released from the hospital. Interesting how time and seemingly better health tend to blind you from the inevitable.

However, when faced with the reality of what is to come, and the uncertainty of when it is to come, we find ourselves challenged all over again. Especially considering the circumstances of what is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives and the timing where we are literally just weeks away from the arrival of Baby Sher, we struggle to find God's provision in His timing.

So as we spent both last weekend and this weekend alongside of Jim, we were eager to see his pain subside but were not yet ready to let him go. We know that goodbye is coming, we just don't know exactly when. Difficult conversations about his funeral, and how he has everything in order to take care of Karen are combined with stories of the nursery, and the baby to come.

So as we prepare to say goodbye, we recognize all that will be no longer. Goodbye to years of pain and suffering; goodbye to sleepless nights; goodbye to chemo, radiation and the side effects that follow. Goodbye to the "command center," "policing the area" and telling the boys (Petie and Oggie) to "knock it off."

However, even though we know that goodbye is near, we rest assured knowing that what will remain is the legacy of Jim Hill. A legacy that entails a believer in Christ, a warrior who fought hard the battle against cancer, a man of compassion for humans and animals alike, a mentor, a friend, and a passionate OU fan. So although here comes goodbye, and we prepare ourselves for that exit, we will never forget the father, husband and soon-to-be grandfather that is Jim Hill.

As we prepare for goodbye we covet your prayers. Pray that we remain selfless in our desires for Jim, that his entrance into the Kingdom is one with limited pain and suffering, that we have the faith and trust in the Lord to let go, and that in our own saddness and grief we remember the blessings that God has poured down onto this family, especially the blessing who will be called Ellison Kate Sher.

So goodbye is coming, but only to a temporary chapter, as an eternal one is just beginning. What is "goodbye" for us, is "Welcome Home!" for Jim.