Mabel was lively, humorous, and outspoken. She was my sister’s friend. Both in their eighties, they were part of a daily coffee klatch in our hometown. And you might hear revelations from Mabel better left unsaid at times.

Riddled with multiple health issues, she fell down her apartment steps one day and was knocked out when head met wall. Neighbors called 911.

It so happens, in my former small town, the local mortician, Nicky, a registered nurse and son of the former mortician, also volunteers on the ambulance crew. Do you see what’s coming?

Mabel came to as Nicky was leaning over her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her first reaction surprise to see a mortician in front of her. We all had a good laugh at that coffee during a visit to my sister.

It made me think of the surprise that might await some folks someday. “What are you doing here?” some might ask at the first being they see when they transition from our current world to the spiritual world.

Who will we see standing before us, ready to take us in? Will some people be surprised?

If it’s the mortician, I’ll know I’m not quite there yet! But, if it’s my friend, Jesus, I’ll know I’ve finally arrived at the destination stamped on my heart. I’ll say, “I knew you’d come,” or maybe I’ll just shout, “I’m here!!” I have a feeling Mabel did the latter some years ago.

^“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV)