Voices from two worlds

It finally arrived today and it's beautiful!

It is a package that was sent in the mail from New Zealand a few weeks ago. Its contents, a hand-knitted sweater that's been in the works for just about a year now. As I opened the package and set eyes on its treasure, all the memories came back: the day of shopping when we found the wool and chose the pattern, and of course the precious visit we had with friends on the North Island.

There was a note enclosed with this package as well, one that had been written a few weeks ago now. From the language of it's verbage, our friends sounded like they were doing well, but there was no hint within its words of the truth that we've already come to know, that one of them would depart the world of mortals and find his way to heaven before the sweater would reach these shores.

What a wonderful gift, and a tangible reminder of a friendship that endures. This sweater (or 'jumper' as the local slang goes) will always be special since the idea for it came about during our last visit with him. I wonder when we'll be able to go back, and what we'll meet when we arrive. Even if the place is still there, there will always be a part of the experience that has now been changed, but then again, life is like that: ever changing, ever renewed.