Mystery of Death

This duck moved into my grandmother's yard last week while she lay dying.  In the 40+ years that she and my grandfather have lived there, never has a duck resided on their patio.  We all took great delight in this feathered friend who made himself right at home among my grandmother's plants.  He was a wonderful distraction and we all smiled at the beautiful tribute he was for her final days.  Many of the caregivers read all sorts of signs into the duck's presence but I merely took as one of those funny, little things that the Lord orchestrates sometimes.

Early Friday morning, I was staying over at my grandmother's house and I was awakened to the caregiver calling for me, she sounded very distressed.  I jumped out of bed to help in whatever way I could, only for her to take me towards the front of the house--towards the duck.  She kept saying, "I think he's dead.  I think he's dead."  Sure enough as I stood looking out the large picture window, the duck was indeed dead.  Here I was, expecting death at any minute, only to find it in an unexpected corner.  I wanted to laugh.  In my heart, I had a good chuckle over this poor bird's death, but the caregiver was really shaken by it and I didn't think my twisted humor would be appreciated.

I do not understand why the Lord brought the duck or why it died a few hours before my grandmother, but personally, I enjoyed it being a part of that week.  I enjoyed it being a part of that process.