02.20.2026 | Friday after Ash Wednesday

​Ashes to Ashes
 
Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day with a short thunderstorm, a burst of bright sunshine, another shower, then more sun and springlike warmth. By evening the winds picked up, temperatures dropped, and Winter returned with a forty‑degree plunge overnight. Spring had slipped back into Winter in the span of a few hours.
 
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.”
Psalm 130:5–6
 
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” The words echoed in me as I watched the incredible sunset last night. Sunsets are something special. They remind me of death, yes, but also of resurrection because the sun will rise again tomorrow.
 
Last night’s sunset carried me back to another one I witnessed years ago on a Florida beach with my Dad. It was the last sunset we ever saw together, though neither of us knew that then. He was vibrant, fresh from walking more than a mile along the shoreline while helping Dr. B search for shark’s teeth.
 
As the sun began to sink, we stood side by side, watching the sky turn to fire. “A Creator of all things is the only way that could happen,” Dad said. I agreed, and we simply stood there as the sun slipped below the horizon. The beach grew dark and quiet except for the waves. It was just me, Dad, and Dr. B on an empty stretch of sand, none of us moving. Something in us knew it was a sacred moment, and we did not want it to end.
 
Dad passed a few months later. We were not ready, but I think he was. The good news is that even though the sun did set, it will rise again. As the old song says, we will see him again one bright day. Until then, we have the promise of the sunset.
 
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” And that is only the beginning.