In memorandium

My father died suddenly when I was 23. He was 50 years old. I was living in Orlando at the time and he and my mother were on a vacation in Mexico. While he was there he contracted an infectious disease that attacked his bronchial system. The infection, the fact that he was a diabetic and a smoker since he was 17 all contributed to his dead. Graciously, the Lord allowed for him to be flown back to the US and he recieved the best of care here before he died.

As a 23 years old, what do you know? You know someone you loved ceases to exist, you know that its life changing and shattering news, but you dont really know how to grieve except to go through it. No one trains you for that.

One of the people whom my father's death hit the hardest was his best friend Doug. Our families had been friends for years...since the arrival of their first daughter and for the 4 that subseqently came after. Doug's wife Judy was a gem...one of those people who would do anything for you and someone who loved sweetly. My sister and I babysat them for years and years. Their first two were girls and I so remember them in sweet dresses with little piggy tails pulling their hair up...it was infinately sweet.

For years my father and Doug played softball together. They were the quintessential matching pair of pitcher and first baseman. Both being smokers, they would steal out behind the bench for a smoke during their team's time at bat. We spent years upon years of summer nights watching baseball and chatting in the stands with people at the ball field while the lights came on.

Doug was the man who walked me down the aisle when I got married. I still get teary thinking about it...At 25 I was thinking it was such a great blessing to me to have someone close to our family do this for me. Before walking down the aisle, he paused and told me how he was honored to take the place of my father in this momentous occassion.

Having connections in Florida, Doug and Judy and their family would check in with E and I and eventually the girl too when they would come to the Sunshine state. It was always like having a breath of family here...getting caught up on the Dutch Chicago news and listening to what their family was up to. Giggling about old times with whatever kids...now teens and young adults came with them on their trip.

About five years ago Judy died suddenly. Literally, no warning. They are not old at all and she simply died in her bed one evening. Her death is still a mystery. It was devastating to their family of course, and his wife was an amazing woman and that she was so young.

Yesteday Doug's oldest daughter Sheri died from cancer. She was 30 years old and a math teacher in the public sector...her blog has been on my links page for awhile now to keep track of her progress. The cancer was swift the second time around. Graciously, the Lord did not allow her to linger and yet the road to death is beyond words. I cannot imagine that kind of grief or pain.

Standing in the gap to pray for people who cannot pray for themselves during times of crisis is an honor. People have done it for me many times and it matters...the prayers are felt. Please pray for this family, these dear ones to us as they say goodbye to their daughter and sister tomorrow.