“What I know for sure” – well, I know for sure that we can only do the best we can do. Your best and my best may be very different, but I truly believe that we live life trying to do our best.
A friend died this week from a long war with cancer – he won a few battles along the way, but ultimatly lost the war on Monday morning… He was surround by family and thankfully hospice. For those who don’t know, the service hospice provides is wonderfully respectful to the patient and to the family. It just makes passing as easy as it can be (which is not saying its easy – but they do so much to help, and most people don’t even know)…
I thought about trying to see him last week and as the week slipped away I asked myself whether or not I’d be okay not seeing him again – and the answer was yes. Last time I saw him he was quite frail (and I hear it just progressed). He is a man who knew the love of God, of his family, of his church community, of his colleages and probably of most people who met him… He was always happy to see you and told you so! Honestly, it was a bit embarrassing hearing how wonderful I was and how happy this man was to see me on any given day – but that was my hang-up not his.
I think he wanted to be sure everyone knew how thankful he was to God for his life and for your presence in his life. He sang in the choir for years and could not carry a tune in a bucket, but the man could whistle! I loved to hear him whistle in the church. You’d hear him sometimes more than a minute before you’d see him coming around a corner. If there was whistling, you pretty much knew W was “in the building.”
Two summers ago he joined the first Mission group on a trip to Honduras – to Our Little Roses, which is a girls home in San Pedro Sula. We went in August – and it was hot! W did really well! He paced himself, helped out with making cupcakes which was an adventure, sanded dining room chairs by hand like the rest of us… It was a wonderful trip and a great opprotunity to see someone in their 70s stretch and try something new.
W’s youngest daughter was one of my “kids” in youth group and well, she’s all growed up now so I consider her one of my closest friends… anyhow, she is home and keeping things together as best one can at this time… I lost my dad after a very long illness and even when you know they are dying – it doesn’t make it any easier…
I don’t think this post is trying to go anywhere – I think its my way of saying good-bye to W and it was certainly a pleasure to know you Sir. I know that I will once again hear your whistling when I join the heavenly chorus myself (no offense but hopefully not soon).
Peace and Love of the Lord to you and all you love…
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