After All The Goodbye’s Have Been Said
Reflections To Engage The Minds, Touch the Hearts and Stir The Souls Of Those Who Read Them
by
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Chapter 3 A Timely, Surprise Visit Six years is a long time to not see and visit with someone in person, the length of time since my wife and I moved from New England to a suburban city near Dallas, Texas where I served a a congregation as its pastor for nearly 18 years. Although we were born, raised and enjoyed living in New England each of us (myself in particular) looked forward to no longer shoveling snow in Texas. Invariably, moving from one place to another includes many twists, turns and challenges: boxes to pack, a variety and number of “things” large and small to pack, ship or sell before saying “goodbye” to the best house we “built from scratch” in which we have ever lived. Then again, as folks in Texas say, this real estate transaction“...this wasn’t our first rodeo!” With contracts signed, movers hired, boxes packed and stacked in the garage from wall-to-ceiling, moving day finally arrived and with feelings of sadness and excitement we climbed into the car and headed toward and arrived in the great state of Texas two days and 1,700 miles+/- later during an extended (so what else is new?) Heat wave. Without a doubt the furniture movers earned every cent what we paid them for their labors and happily gave them a richly deserved gratuity. Two weeks later all the boxes were empty, furniture where we wanted it to be, both cars parked in the garage and our attic empty - which our Texan neighbors considered to be quite a monumental accomplishment since most homes in Texas don’t have basements. Thanks to the gift of a sabbatical from the congregation I was serving as pastor, Six years later my wife and I made a trip to New England to visit relatives and friends we had talked with but not seen in Connecticut without letting anyone know in advance about planned visit. Our first, most important visit was Stella, Sue’s eighty-eight-year-old mother who lived by herself in an elderly housing apartment in spite of being legally blind owing to macular degeneration. Determined to make the most of our surprise visit we waited in the lobby of Stella’s building until another resident arrived, identified ourselves to them who allowed us to enter through the security doors. Arriving at Stella’s door we dialed her phone number, heard it ring. Disguising her voice, Sue said, “Flower delivery” to which Stella replied: “Flower delivery? Who’s sending me flowers? My birthday was two weeks ago” to which Sue replied: “I don’t know, lady....just open the door so I can deliver these flowers.” Oops! The only problem was that neither of us thought about or remembered to pick up a bouquet of flowers - which left just the two of us to “deliver” ourselves to Stella who was completely surprised, moved to tears and thrilled to see us six years after our goodbyes had been said. An emotional, wonderful reunion of a mother and daughter (and oh yes, Stella’s one and only favorite son-in-law). An occasion which will remain in our hearts forever, second only to happy words of welcome from the other family members and friends we visited. Too soon the days of my sabbatical and our surprise visits from Texas passed by. Once again the time arrived for us to once again say “Goodbye” to those we knew and loved in Connecticut. Too soon were everyone’s tears of joy, hearty homecomings and welcoming hugs replaced by softly spoken words of farewell exchanged with moist eyes, softened voices, lingering hugs and words of farewell. None among us knows when, where or how long it will be - if ever again - before we once again embrace those we love and know in our arms. Once upon a time, my wife and I waved goodbye to our daughter as her school bus rolled out of sight on her first day of school. In similar manner so also did Stella stand outside her home and wave goodbye to Sue and I as our car disappeared from her view around the corner. Six months after our visit God called Stella to His nearer presence where and with whom I am certain we will happily visit and spend eternity in God’s heavenly home. Be patient, kind and loving with and toward each other (even though being so may occasionally be a “tough thing to do” - - - no need for anyone to ask “why?”
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About the Book
For as many “Hello’s” we will say countless times in our lives to loved ones, friends and others whom we will meet, so also will we say an equal number of “Goodbye’s” to them - and a variety of places and “things” we have known, loved, and cherished for long - and sometimes all too brief - lengths of time.
Through the personal stories and pastoral and reflections in this book Pastor Illausky hopes to “engage the minds, touch the hearts, stir the souls” - and remind those who read them - that the loving God who created them will continue to be present in their lives to, through and beyond the day when He forever welcomes us into His loving arms.
Born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut, after studying business management and computer science in college, Pastor Illausky was employed as a computer consultant for 18 years. During that time he enjoyed serving as choir director and lay-leader of his congregation and involvement in the fraternal order of Masons.
In response to his “life-long call”, Pastor Illausky received a Master of Divinity Degree from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary; completed additional post-graduate studies at Theological Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; ordained as a Lutheran pastor, January 21, 1966; and served congregations in New England and Texas prior to retiring as a full-time pastor in December, 2021.
Pastor Illausky and Susan, his wife of 52 years, reside in Anna, Texas and are proud parents of their daughter, her husband and their two teenage children.
About the Author
For as many “hello’s” we experience in life, so also will - and must also - say “goodbye” to an incredible number of people, friends, loved ones, places and “things” we have known and cherished for a long - and sometimes - all too short length of time.
Pastor Illausky hopes that by sharing the stories in this book, he will “engage the minds and stir the souls of those who read them” and be reassured that “The One” who will welcome us all into His nearer presence with a smile and open arms after we have said our final earthly goodbyes. Pastor Illausky is well-acquainted with saying “hello” and “goodbye” many times in life which inspired him to write this book.
Raised in Bristol, Connecticut, Pastor Illausky: completed undergraduate studies; was a computer consultant for 18 years; earned a Master’s of Divinity degree from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary; completed additional study at Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary; as ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1996; and served Lutheran congregations in New England and Texas prior to retiring in 2021.
Pastor Illausky and Susan (his wife of 52 years) reside in Anna, Texas and are the proud parents of their married daughter, her husband and their two teenage children.