The Last Enemy ...
Another friend of mine died this morning. This time it was a brother not too much older than I am. He and I were in the same congregation (with Affie's dad and Jules) from the time I was 8 - 12. I lost touch with him after I moved away. I always thought he was a nice guy, but I just didn't know him too well.
He had been fighting a brain tumor for quite a while. I had heard that something was wrong with him, but didn't know the details. I occassionally ran into him at conventions over the years. I'd stop for a quick "how are you doing?" and be on my way to wherever I was headed. This summer he was noticeably ill. (I really don't know how long he'd been fighting the cancer.)
For some reason, I stopped for a decent conversation with him this summer. We didn't really delve into many details - I didn't even ask what was wrong with him though it was obvious that he was sick. But I stood there for as long as he wanted to chat (which wasn't long since he was standing during our conversation and got a little tired). He introduced me to his teenage daughter (who was absolutely adorable).
I walked away thinking how lovely it was to talk to him. I wondered whether we would have been friends if I hadn't moved away. Based on how pleasant he'd turned out to be, I certainly hope that we would have been. Now that he's gone, I am really glad that I was able to talk to him this summer and did not just pass him by with a cursory greeting.
I don't know any details on his funeral. And I have no plans to attend. But I am sorry that a nice brother is gone and that a family is left without a husband and father. I look forward to getting to know him in the paradise.
Unfortunately, I don't think will be my last post about death. There is a brother in my congregation who is waging his own battle against a brain tumor. He is also an incredibly nice brother with a wife that is just adorable. I am fairly certain that I will soon have to post about his passing and do not look forward to the task.
Death is not natural. I can't wait for this last enemy to be vanquished. We need the new world. But until it gets here, try not to overlook your brothers and sisters. I can't promise that I will share my innermost feelings with any and all, but I will try to neglect as few as possible.
He had been fighting a brain tumor for quite a while. I had heard that something was wrong with him, but didn't know the details. I occassionally ran into him at conventions over the years. I'd stop for a quick "how are you doing?" and be on my way to wherever I was headed. This summer he was noticeably ill. (I really don't know how long he'd been fighting the cancer.)
For some reason, I stopped for a decent conversation with him this summer. We didn't really delve into many details - I didn't even ask what was wrong with him though it was obvious that he was sick. But I stood there for as long as he wanted to chat (which wasn't long since he was standing during our conversation and got a little tired). He introduced me to his teenage daughter (who was absolutely adorable).
I walked away thinking how lovely it was to talk to him. I wondered whether we would have been friends if I hadn't moved away. Based on how pleasant he'd turned out to be, I certainly hope that we would have been. Now that he's gone, I am really glad that I was able to talk to him this summer and did not just pass him by with a cursory greeting.
I don't know any details on his funeral. And I have no plans to attend. But I am sorry that a nice brother is gone and that a family is left without a husband and father. I look forward to getting to know him in the paradise.
Unfortunately, I don't think will be my last post about death. There is a brother in my congregation who is waging his own battle against a brain tumor. He is also an incredibly nice brother with a wife that is just adorable. I am fairly certain that I will soon have to post about his passing and do not look forward to the task.
Death is not natural. I can't wait for this last enemy to be vanquished. We need the new world. But until it gets here, try not to overlook your brothers and sisters. I can't promise that I will share my innermost feelings with any and all, but I will try to neglect as few as possible.
2 Comments:
His sister that was friends with your sister-in-law said that the doctors think he had been battling it since he was 10, just because of the type of cancer it was. He was able to see his oldest daughter get baptised this last year at the summer convention. It was so depressing. Dad gave the talk and couldn't help but nearly crying the whole time.
I just found out yesterday that your dad gave the talk. I wish I had known him better.
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