writing when inspired about the often overlooked
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) Carol’s (Gordon’s wife) thoughts on the Memorial Service November 12, 2005: God gave me the music one special song at a time. * Right after the phone call on my way home from Missoula, I heard “I Can Only Imagine” and knew the situation was bad and I…
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) click HERE for Before and After Day 6 Part 1 In Between Death & Life – a blog written by my son Todd on November 11, 2005. It’s not supposed to be this way. You are not supposed to watch your grandparents stand over the coffin of…
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) This evening we will be at the funeral home greeting friends and family. People and flowers and food flowed into the house. This white flower was one of the first and the most striking in appearance and fragrance. Notice the new Testament and Psalms. Carol and I “lived”…
(Start “Before and After” series here) “The most wasted of days is the one without Laughter!” E.E. Cummings To prepare for the Memorial Service tomorrow, Galen gathers us together in the living room and asks us to think of the words that come to mind as we think about Gordon. There is lots of laughter…
(StartHERE for full “Before and After” series) see HERE “for Day 5 part 1 Today has been difficult. I cry what seems to be buckets of tears. And then Galen reminds me that while this is a pit, it is not a bottomless pit because of Jesus. This comforts me and gives me hope. It is surreal…
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) I go with Carol to pick up his “things.” Four days later and they’re still soaking wet. (Yes, those are his shoes.) Soaked – everything, even his wallet. Carol looks through everything, her hands shaking. “He didn’t even eat his Skittles.” There are wet matches, his wallet, and…
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series ) Go HERE for Day 4 Part 1 ___________________ A lot happened this day. The two visits with Collin and Paul were key as we beginto process what has happened As we left home, I grabbed a few choir CD’s. “Rescue” a song we learned just a…
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) Visit to A Funeral Home We must go see him, but it’s not him. Why must I see him like this? I know I must. But my legs don’t want to move. My feet do not want to take me down this hall to where his body lies….
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) Alone Again I am in the middle of a DC10. It’s dark. We don’t turn on the overhead light. I can’t believe I am taking this journey. Mom and Dad sitting across the aisle a few rows ahead their hearts breaking like mine. “I’ll miss his phone…
(Start HERE for full “Before and After” series) Tuesday, November 8, 2005 – He’s gone 4:30 am Carol calls to tell us things do not look good and they are airlifting him to Billings. She says we should plan to come and I wonder why. I still don’t believem but for the first time I am…