Author -

Submitted By - In memory of Arthur Tillman

It was late in the evening up in heaven. God was finally trying to rest after thousands of years of creation and answering prayers. He had wanted to read “Computers for Dummies” for such a long time so he could see what all the rage was about EBAY. It would have been easier to ask a child how to use it but all the children were somewhere with Jesus.

God sat down in his favorite chair and reached over to turn on his reading light.

Click.

Click.

Nothing…

“Dadblastit,” he said, “No power.”

He called all of his angels around Him. They too flipped the switch and then shrugged not knowing what to do.

They needed an expert. Time to call in a Journeyman Lineman.

After a few calls they discovered that all of the linemen in Heaven were competing in the First Annual Heaven’s Lineman Rodeo. You see, it took years and years to get enough linemen in heaven, (for various reasons) and they finally had enough men for a team. They said, “Sorry God. It’s the rodeo.” God was just about ready to order them to do it until one spoke up and said, “Why don’t you call in an alternate?”

God thought a minute and said, “I know just the man…call in Arthur Tilman.”

“How do we find him?” asked the angels.

“Just follow the trail of forgotten half-full coffee cups or listen for that laugh.”

The angels looked down to earth and spotted Art. He must have read the Readers Digest the night before because he was telling jokes like crazy.

“But God,” the angels said, “Art is needed in Fort Madison. He is like a father to his friends and Loretta needs him. What about all those kids he loves so much?”

God said, “I know that without Art there will be a huge hole in the hearts of many people. I placed Art in the lives of his friends and family for a reason. Remember, I planned it all. Art needed Loretta and she completed him. Art was never upset that he did not have any biological children of his own, I didn’t let him. He had too much love to give just the ones from his loins; he loved all children like they were his own. Loretta gave him the opportunity to have the unconditional love he received from his grandchildren Jamie, Jason and his Dusty girl. Art loved and lived for the day and his love will carry on in the lives of his family.

“I knew the Linemen in Fort Madison, Keokuk and Burlington needed Art around to teach them to laugh and live life to the fullest. He also taught them by example sacrifice, dedication, and pride in a job well done.

“You see, when Art gets here he wont really be leaving his friends and family on earth completely. Through all of his love and patience and humor, Art will each a piece of himself in their memories. Don’t worry about Loretta either. He loved her so much and because his love was so strong, she will always feel it around her and see Art in the eyes of her grandchildren and all of those who were touched by Art in some way. She will never be alone.

“Besides, I need someone to fix those darn lights and I noticed that a couple of the stars might need some work…they’re flickering too much…maybe the photoelectric cell or whatever that thingy is called is bad. I’ve got plenty of work up here for him. Anyway, I need to hear some new jokes, those same old jokes John the Baptist keeps telling me are becoming annoying.”

So, although it was painful for Art’s friends and family to watch him go, he accepted that bid and was transferred up to heaven.

If you listen really hard, sometimes you can hear his booming laugh in the distance. And maybe every once in a while you might just hear God yelling, “Art, would you please pick up those darn coffee cups. I swear I’m going to tie one to you!”