Etched in Stone

 The idiom "set (or etched) in stone" is believed to have biblical origins. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, the words were literally engraved within the stone tablets handed to him. This literal engraving of rules into stone has come to symbolize permanence and immutability over centuries. (From Grammarist)

When my dad passed, we were told that permanent, marble marker would be placed on the opening of the columbarium where he is interred.  They told us it would take six to eight weeks for the marble to be engraved and placed so it was quite a surprise to see, just under four weeks later, the marble marker has been locked in place, forever securing my dad's remains.  The marker etched forever with his name and the years of his life - 1937 to 2024 - Glenn L. Lambdin, MSGT, USAF. He was a beloved husband and dad and he WAS devoted to prayer.  And to all he loved. And now, he is gone.  That immutable, permanent truth is forever etched on my heart.  I hurt again all over for the days leading up to the moment he took his last breath - at 2:00 a.m. on February 11th.  And the days since.  And I wonder and question all over again - could we have done something different to have a different outcome? Was there any way to make him better and bring him home one more time? The indelible answer is "no."  But that does not make this grieving daughter's heart any less broken.  He is no less my dad because he is gone.  I don't love him less.  My mind has not canonized him - he was still very human and fallible - but he loved BIG.  He was generous and compassionate.  The pain I've felt in my chest since losing him is physical. I miss him.  So very much. And that, too, is etched, just not visibly on a marble marker.  But on my soul.  

Sending you so much love always - Ettu