I have an affectionate but long-distance perspective to offer on our departed loved one, Luke. He would call or text occasionally, to offer a cheerful greeting or update, or sometimes to ask very simply and directly for help. I was never present for the crisis times and can only imagine how devastating they were. The picture his life presented to me was of a young man whose life was upended by illness, and who tried diligently for 20 years to build a nest in a hurricane. He never gave up his search for a loving home and meaningful work, and what more does any of us ever want? God rest you, my young nephew: your illness and trouble are over now.
A young death
My young nephew, not quite 40, died suddenly this week. It was a shock and yet not completely unexpected, given the complicated state of his mental and physical health. He was struck down savagely by bipolar disease at the age of 18, a blow that was followed by some of the predictable physical catastrophes that strike people given to passing out in snowdrifts, as well as bolts from the blue like cancer.
At his memorial service this Saturday in Philadelphia, I will read (or have someone read for me) this elegy:
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6 comments:
I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences.
May the Lord receive him.
Loving home, meaningful work. We would give all our fortunes if we were ever without them.
God has given me another chance to a save a dog, if only briefly, a small elderly creature with untreatable heartworms. It's just the thing for a week's work right now in Luke's honor. Little Lucy has a hospice-home waiting for her with a committed rescuer in Missouri. I'm going to pick her up out of the Corpus Christi shelter, where they'd otherwise have killed her tomorrow, and hold her until she can be transported on Feb. 7. I like to think that she'll join Luke soon, both in restored health. He'd always have liked to have a dog if he'd been able to create a safe home. He had one once when he briefly lived with a woman and her son.
The lame will walk in Gloryland
The blind up there will see
The deaf in Gloryland will hear
The dumb will talk to me
*Long distance hugs* A wonderful tribute and kindness, Texan.
LittleRed1
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