Another Step… On The Off Ramp

TUES., FEB. 15, 2000, 7:35 AM
FARM, STUDY

The letter that you have there on yellow paper represents another step down the off ramp… from a life of responsibilities and duties. There is a certain sadness in requesting the loss of this participation, which has been a vital part of your adult life, but expect, also, the joy that comes with “relief.” It is another stop away from the kind of participation that has characterized your life. It is also another step toward less responsibility of the sort that now is clearly more difficult to maintain and carry out.

I like your inclusion of your experience, years ago now, which ended with the advice, “always leave ‘em clappin’ their damn hands!” Oh, I could say that another good way to drop an earth body is that taken by My Servant Charles Schulz. He retired, with much clapping of hands, and, almost immediately, he died. There was no time for an “off ramp”… but many hands were clapping, as his contributions to human life were still so appreciated.

This way of “learning” is “better” than those of Peter, Michael, and your Dad. At this point the “ramp” that is yours seems even better. Oh, of course, there is pain. Living on longer (as you expect to) with cancer eventually is likely to be painful. If this happens, you shall have a chance to judge whether living longer, with pain is “better” than dying more suddenly, without… You have no real pain now… just bothersome changes from “what has been,” in your healthy body. Accept these, with as little attention and concern as possible. When… and as often as… you can, APPRECIATE the dying process. You have some control of this. There have been many memorable portions of your life. Accept this one as one that should be memorable.

I also like the paragraph in your letter than says there still are tasks you would like to be invited to do. I want you to continue to be active in this Church of Mine, with short-term responsibilities in which you can exhibit and encourage spirit… in yourself and in others.

All right, you’re giving up this long-held responsibility. ( 8:16 / 8:18 ) What are you retaining…and… increasing. It is clear that you have diminishing energy and memory. Such losses will continue, so you must adapt, in a variety of ways, and just accept the “new” conditions of life… as cheerily as possible. Continue to see that this off ramp of yours is quite a blessing… much superior to “other ramps,” those steeper and those more prolonged.

I’ll put it bluntly: these Teachings are your highest priority. When you can no longer hear Me and write in this long-established form, it shall be time for you to come on over. So don’t consider giving this up. You have plenty of paper and this adequate pen. (But, with your memory problems you’d better have a designated “back-up.”) You should now have time to keep these in good order. And, as you know, I want this room to have a bit more order. This “restoration” is a worthy task for you now.

Your body is exhibiting various forms of deterioration, but it is still strong, and there are tasks here on this place that are both enjoyable and fitness-maintaining. There is firewood to cut, split, and carry in. This is no time to exhibit frustration with your fence. Just fix it, with smiles and laughter. Soon it will be time to plant, both flowers and vegetables. A fine season approaches. Appreciate the last blasts of winter, but look forward to the Spring.