The reason this scene was painted ... During the Fall of 2003, the artist, Riley Geddings, received traumatic news from his doctor - in addition to his leukemia and diabetes, he was told his heart was failing rapidly. After praying with his wife, Maggie, it was decided that since this might be our last Christmas together, we would make it a good one. Maggie's sister arrived from England and together with Maggie's son and his family, the 7 of us set off for 3-days at Madeira Beach, Florida. Maggie took this picture of Riley watching the sunset. When printed, it seemed to Maggie that Riley and our dog Lucky were enclosed within a circle of light. "You're going through the tunnel" Maggie said. A poet for many years, Maggie promptly composed the following poem to her husband, Riley.

                        RILEY'S  FINAL  SUNSET


                                                             by Maggie Geddings


As Riley waited patiently, inside the doctor's room 
He felt uneasy - tired - on edge - he sensed a cloud of gloom 

"Old Death" stood in the corner - unseen - but pale and grim 
Awaiting Riley's last demise - Death silently watched him
 
The Doctor entered, hand held out - to greet his friend so dear 
"Good morning, Riley" said the doc - and choked back one small tear 

"I've got bad news," the doctor said, "Hear what I have to say 
Your heart is failing fast, my friend, you're facing your last day" 

"A walking time bomb" - failing heart - leukemia also 
Your diabetes gaining ground" - oh what a tale of woe 

Arriving home, he gave the news, to Maggie, his dear wife 
The tears welled up - my heart stood still - as if stabbed by a knife 

We prayed together right away - asked God to give us strength 
To face the trauma of this time - whatever be its length

"Let's spend a weekend at the beach," said Maggie with a smile 
"We'll take our family with us - relax - and rest a while"
 
So off we set with Riley - there was Maggie, Janet, Mark
And Terri, Russell, Wesley too - with Lucky-dog "bark bark" 

Madeira Beach upon The Gulf, our destination west
Beach Suites Resort Hotel it was - the bestest of the best 

'Twas there that we met Jackie - then Jeanie - Barry too 
We had such fun - enjoyed the rest - had lots of things to do
 
Relaxing in the hot tub or just walking on the sand 
The beach it stretched for miles and miles - as onward marched our band 

Six-thirty in the morning - we were first along the beach 
No-one but us - we searched for shells, as far as we could reach 

We saw so many dolphins, at daybreak they were there 
They fed on fish, they swam, they jumped - oh what a sight so rare 

The lads flew kites, a "Hover Disc" - we walked along the Pier 
A fish was caught - a big Sea Bass - we saw boats far and near 

Each night we watched the setting sun - oh what an awesome sight 
A golden ball - it slowly fell - as day turned into night 

And Riley sat upon the sand, each night that we were there 
He had his dog within his arm - he seemed to have no care 

The last night we were at the beach, the sun sank near the shore 
So Riley took a chair with him - to watch it set once more 

He sat with Lucky in his arms - cigar within his hand 
Outlined against the setting sun - they rested on the sand 

"Please sing a song for me" he asked, his wife of many years 
So Maggie sang their favorite song - all eyes were filled with tears 


    "Smile a while - I bid you sad adieu 
    When the clouds roll by, I'll come to you 
    Then the skies will be more blue 
    Down in Lovers' Lane, my Dearie 
    Wedding bells have rung so merrily 
    Every tear will be a memory 
    So wait and pray each night for me 
    'Til we meet again"


The sun begins its slow descent, from sky to shining sea 
And Riley realized that he - from pain would soon be free 

A silhouette of Riley forms - against the setting sun 
His "twilight" ends as he reflects on "LIFE" - and all he'd done 

"Old Death" approaches - arms outstretched - his face is gaunt and grim 
But Riley sees "The Man in White" - His Lord has come for him 

"Fear not" said Jesus, "for behold - good tidings I now bring 
I have a place reserved for you - a place where angels sing" 

Eternity  in  heaven  soon - with Jesus to abide
Our King  of  Kings  and  Lord  of  Lords - forever  by  his  side 

Composed by Maggie Gardiner-Geddings, Christmas 2003.