Faith

Dave the Big Dipper

By: Jeanne Hanigan

The dreaded but anticipated call came on Tuesday morning at 2:30 a.m. Liz, the oldest, performed the difficult task of informing her siblings of their father's passing. Jim and I were quiet for awhile, digesting the loss of a loved one's life. Finally, we began to talk, to cry (well, I did :) ) and to reminisce.

As silence enveloped us again, we noticed for the first time the Big Dipper glistening out our window. We had never observed this constellation before in our backyard, hovering in the dim night, but there it was, winking in the sky.

And that is how we will remember Dad. Dave, aka the Big Dipper, illuminates our darkness through his death.

Our children, however, prefer a different vision of Grandpa. They picture him robust and energetic, playing fetch with Fletcher, their daycare's deceased golden retriever.

Perhaps we all have our own versions of Dave in Heaven. Maybe he is drinking coffee with his sister-in-law Pat, or enjoying a cold one with Uncle Charlie. He may be reuniting with his beloved parents or dearly departed friends.

Whatever our interpretation of Dave is in the afterlife, the next time we witness the Big Dipper, we will think of him and smile.