My mom kept saying “soon”.
At the time I had no conception of time. Soon to me was a word that meant wait. Wait with no clear understanding.
While I was coloring in some letters on a poster board at the kitchen table soon was brought up again.
“Color in those letters nice and neat. It will be easier for daddy to see you.”
Daddy.
At six years old and not seeing my father for the last two, I had my impression of Daddy.
Everyone told me about him. My grama told me stories about the time she spent with him while he was growing up. My mom told me all the time that he loved me. She would show me pictures of him. Even pictures of him with a baby – me. I don’t ever remember meeting him but I feel like I know him by the letters mom would read to me. And by all the other stories friends and family would share about him.
Finally, soon came and we were at the airport waiting room.
Another soon.
Soon he’ll be coming through those doors.
Watch and wait.
Once again soon had no meaning to me.
At one point I got up and wandered over to the window to watch planes on the tarmac. Mama called me back.
“Come here and wait. Soon.”
I sat back down holding my sign watching the door.
Soon.
A woman walked by with a dog – a service dog. I’ve never seen such a big dog. I watched as she took a seat a few aisles over. I had to turn around in my chair to see them.
Mama patted me on the back.
“Turn around, honey. You are so easily distracted. You need to watch for daddy. He’ll be here soon.”
I sat back down. I didn’t want to be distracted whatever that meant and I didn’t want to miss Daddy.
I woke up with mama shaking me slightly. “Wake up, soon daddy will be here.”
All this waiting. So much going on around me I wondered if Daddy would ever show up.
“How much longer?” I asked.
“Well sooner that the last time. Any minute now. Keep your eyes on the doorway” mama said.
“Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” Luke 12:37
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Mark 13:33
