Tuesday, March 11, 2008

A Death in the Family

I made the 2.5 hour drive back to my third quarter of the seminary school year knowing that a good friend was in grave condition in the hospital, and I got a call between Greek and New Testament this morning that he had died a few hours earlier. He had just gotten the all-clear from his oncologist on Friday after months of treatment, and found himself in intensive care a few hours later with what seems to have been a viral infection of the heart.

We have been graced by a close circle of friends for 20 years, most of us having met in a Methodist Church when we were young (-er, anyway) parents of very young children. In fact, at that time the arrival of this man's youngest child and only daughter was still four years in the future.

As I said to another of the women today, we knew that those wonderful years of Easter egg hunts (the annual event hosted by this family) and picnics at the lake and little kids running all around were over, but now one of us is gone and we have really, completely, moved to a new place in life, one in which one of the people carrying the memories and burdens and joys is no longer with us.

I am completely devastated.

17 comments:

Karen Sapio said...

(0)

I'm so sorry.

Rev SS said...

So sorry. (((o)))

Mark Smith said...

I'm very sorry.

Your friends are lucky to have you to help them as they help you.

Di said...

Love, prayers, and hugs all going out to you.

Anonymous said...

All of your group of friends will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Lisa :-] said...

It's so hard, isn't it?

One of the...things about reaching this age is the more frequent deaths one has to face. And when it is one of your contemporaries--someone you basically grew up with--it is that much more difficult to bear. My heart breaks for you, your group, and your late friend's family.

((((Robin)))))

more cows than people said...

((((gg))))

so,so hard and sad.

bless you all.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

(((Gannet)))

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry.

Virginia said...

These are the moments when one "re-remembers" to not waste days and moments. What you want to do with your life - go do it now. This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately.

Sorry for your loss.

Peace, Virginia

Terri said...

Oh, GG. May he rest in the peace this day and always. And may those who continue on in this life be filled with the grace of God for the road ahead....((GG))

emmapeelDallas said...

(((((Robin)))))

I am so sorry.

steve said...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Stratoz said...

Peace be with you

Diane M. Roth said...

(((GG)))
very very sorry for your loss.

Paul said...

Sorry for your loss, Robin.

Jan said...

((GG)) I am so very sorry.