A Dickens of a Time!

Last year was a Dickens of a year.

You see, I’ve always been intrigued by Charles Dickens’ opening line in Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….”   How could any time be both?

Now, I think I understand. In fact, that’s sorta like 2010 was for me. It was a very good year and it was a very bad year. Yes, it was the best of times and the worst of times.

Last year, I was fortunate enough to meet and marry Karl, i.e. The Duppster. What a treasure he is; every spouse ought to be so fantastic. This good fortune that came my way definitely made it the “best of times.”

But I also lost a brother last year. Rod was only 56 when he died in August. Yet, quite paradoxically, even his death was, perhaps, the best of times as well as the worst of times.

Losing him was horrible for us. But, for him, it’s now the best of times, in that he is enjoying the fulfillment of the promise of eternal life. Even for family members who remain here on earth, though, it was the best of times in a paradoxical way, because his suffering ended and for that reason, his death was a blessing.

Of course, Rod himself made it relatively easy for us. He had written a column entitled “It’s Me Again, Jesus” and in it, Rod wrote humorously and seriously that, if it was his time, he was ready.

Another example had to do with our family, including extended family. Some experienced job losses; fortunately, some once again found employment. Last year we faced the daunting realization of unemployment in a tough economy - and the joy and relief of new-found employment.

One daughter and her husband dealt with the disappointment of ectopic pregnancies. As the year ended, however, they were awaiting the birth of a second son in a few days.

And then there was my surgery – the hemorrhoidectomy.

Now, that was a Dickens of a time all by itself. I’m still waiting for the best of times from that!

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{Book photo from Amazon.com}

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