Thursday, January 12, 2012

Old Age Day by Day January 12, 2012

Our son-in-law's father died Wednesday.  He had battled lung cancer on and off for years.  He was a very sweet, funny, dear man.  He lived into his eighties and was blessed with four sons, three grandchildren, and a steady strong life in the same town, in the same house for most of his life.  Until a few years ago, all of his sons lived nearby and his two grandsons.  He was a stalwart churchgoer and and a devoted husband and father.  An ordinary life, you might say, but extraordinary in his kindness and steadfast devotion.  I ache for how much his wife will miss him, and his family.  I find myself very saddened indeed.  I also feel for our granddaughter's loss of a grandpa.  He was a gem.  He was delighted with her.  She's so young, and our youngest lost her grandparents when she was 3 as well, and it left a big hole.  So I think of this precious little girl who has lost one of her biggest fans.

I hope the family is comforted by the dignity with which he left them.  When the doctors found a return, he decided not to do any more chemo or radiation.  He died at home in his bed.  Bless him.  Bless all ordinary people showing heroic courage and steadfast love in a turbulent world.

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