Live...and in person

My mind’s eye can clearly see that quaint “Norman Rockwell” type street in Farmington, Maine. It was early summer, but still spring-like weather. It is joked that Maine has only three seasons, July, August, and winter. We were enjoying a typically Maine July day. The road was lined with eager faces, anticipating a glimpse of the distinguished five-star general war hero who now bore the title, Commander–in-Chief.

   I was only eight-years-old, but the image of the shiny black , open-topped limousine is still clearly engraved in the attic of my mind. Standing tall, above the sun-roof opening, smiling and waving, was Dwight David Eisenhower — the president of the United States of America. To say I was in awe of the moment, of the man, would be a gross understatement. Even now, 59 years later I treasure the fact with pride that I saw the man, live and in person. He was an avid fisherman and loved the pristine lakes of Maine and took the time to dress in a black suit and tie to wave at a few “Maniacs” who lined the street of our small town. In later years I was privileged to be in close proximity to other presidents, including Nixon, the elder Bush, and Reagan.
   While those times were exciting and memorable, nothing compares to the excitement I recall at the glimpse of that smiling face, and very bald head of the thirty-fourth president of the U.S. In my repertoire of celebrity sightings, I can list: Ed McMahon, Johnnie Carson, George Gobel, Diane Sawyer, Charlie Gibson, Sam Donaldson and Lou Ferigno. Five of them I actually spoke to and carried on a brief conversation. People of celebrity status — those in the limelight carry a mystique that puts them a hair above human in our minds. We think of them as super-human with almost a supernatural quality — when in fact they are only separated from the average person by their paycheck and the fact that their face is splashed across the movie or television screen multiple times. That is why teenagers scream and applaud when they walk on a stage for a concert, families throng to the football training camp for autographs or a glimpse of their favorite sports figure.
    My grandson was awed when his name was drawn and he was picked to carry Matt Kassel’s helmet at a special ceremony at the Chiefs Training Camp this summer. This is the way we are — often spellbound by a person who has reached star status.
   Thinking about this my mind is drawn to the last words my grandfather spoke to me before his death. He was eighty-eight years old and knew he was dying. He and my grandmother shared a small apartment that was part of our home in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. They had twenty-six grandchildren who were scattered across the nation and even around the world. My brother and I were teenagers and he called for us to come to his bedside. We were the only ones immediately available that were old enough to understand what he felt compelled to share with us.
   He spoke of the one he longed to see, face-to-face. He rehearsed the fact that he, a miserable sinner, had been redeemed by the blood of Calvary because Christ gave himself to rescue those who accept his ultimate sacrifice. He repeated several times, “I shall know Him by the prints of the nails in His hands."  (He had recently read an article that Jesus was not nailed to the cross, but rather tied there.) His affirmation to us was spoken with verve as he said, “Don’t let anyone ever tell you that Jesus wasn’t nailed to the cross.” And then he repeated again: “I shall know him by the prints of the nails in his hands.” John 20:26-29 “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace be unto you.’ Then saith he to Thomas, ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said unto him, ‘My Lord and my God.’ Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.’” Grandpa wanted to impress us with the fact that Jesus was nailed to the cross for us and that nothing else mattered if we did not acknowledge and accept him as Lord and Savior. He wanted to be sure we believed, and were blessed.
   Do I like to meet celebrities? Yes. Am I still proud that I saw President Eisenhower when I was a child? Yes! But nothing can compare to the longing I have to see the one who loved me enough to give his life so I can spend eternity in his presence.
   I’ll never forget Grandpa’s last words to me and I can’t imagine the thrill he must have felt when he bowed before Christ and saw the nail prints in his hands. Nothing in this life can compare with the joy that waits beyond this life. Just like Grandpa, I’m anxious to see Jesus, live and in person… “I shall know him by the prints of the nails in his hands.”
________________________________________________ _

Even as a young girl, Sharon Spiegel loved writing stories and poetry - something she inherited from her grandmother, Jessie May Garlock. Now the Assembly of God minister, Christian school administrator and self-described 'Missouri Yankee' is adding author to her titles. Her first book, 'Generations,' will be released by CrossRiver Media Group later this year. She is also a contributor to Crossriver's latest compilation, The Benefit Package. She and her husband of 44 years, Roger have three children and 14 grandchildren. You can find Sharon online at facebook.com/AuthorSharonSpiegel, on twitter @sharonspiegel and her website - www.sharonoragarlockspiegel.com.