Quite a few bloggers that I follow do this thing called “Five-Minute Friday.” According the online host of this activity, FFM is a weekly writing link-up in which bloggers “free write for five minutes flat” on a single word prompt.

I’ve never blogged in response to a prompt before, nor have I EVER written anything in just five minutes. The idea has always intrigued me, though.

I’ve done a few quick writes without posting anything. I always figured I would just know when I should try it publicly.

Today is the day, friends. The prompt for the week is NEXT.

• • • 

You know me. I always read the end of the book first. I want to know how the story ends.

I’m about to find out, at least when it comes to my mom’s story.

What comes next for her is certain. Her eternal home awaits. The arms of her loving heavenly Father are prepared to welcome her.  Her body will be restored, complete, whole.

What a day that will be.

For her.

What comes next for those of us she leaves behind remains to be seen. I know what I’m feeling now—sadness, some trepidation, a bit of relief, a whole lot of questions about logistics.

But I don’t know what I will feel when it’s all over. I’ve never been down this road before.

Others can tell me about the terrain and the landmarks and what to expect along the way, but it’s a journey each of us who love my mom will have to traverse in our own unique ways.

The irony is not lost on me that I’m writing this on Good Friday. Death doesn’t have the final word.

Yes, it’s speaking pretty loudly right now.

But Sunday is coming.

♥ Lois

UPDATE: I originally posted this Friday morning. Eleven hours later, my mom passed away. It gives my family great comfort to know that as we were celebrating Easter here, she was in the presence of her eternal Father in heaven.

NOTE: This post is part of a collection called Help for Parent Loss. To read more, please click here.