Farewell

Brad's dad passed away last week, May 31st.  He had been in the hospital for 4 1/2 months receiving treatment for lymphoma.  After each chemo treatment, we expected him to get better and come home.  He never did.  It was so hard to see him get weaker, then bounce back a little, then succumb again, regain some strength, then retreat. One step forward, three steps back, it seemed.  But we always had hope.  "After this next treatment," we'd say, "then Mary Lou will be here and she can nurse him at home."  His sister, Mary Lou, is a retired nurse.  She and her husband, Bob, drove their RV from Colorado to Seattle about two weeks ago, intending to stay and help take care of Morgan until he recovered.  The day before they arrived, Morgan came down with pneumonia and was transferred from the Community Living Center at the VA Hospital (nursing home section) to the ICU.  After a few days in the ICU, it became evident Morgan was not going to bounce back this time.  He'd gotten pneumonia a few months ago and been able to fight it.  This time he was too weak.  We were able to bring the kids to see him a few days before he passed to say their good-byes.  It was heart-wrenching. 

The funeral was Wednesday.  What a beautiful service.  Through the tears and sadness for our loss of such a great man, it was wonderful to hear the stories people had to tell about Morgan.  His smile, his welcoming personality, his love for his family, love for the gospel, desire to serve others, missionary spirit, optimistic attitude, entrepreneurial drive, were all highly praised.  A sister in the ward sang my favorite hymn, "Be Still My Soul."  I'm tearing up now just thinking about it.

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

I am so thankful I have a testimony of the eternal nature of our lives.  What a blessing to know that earth life isn't the end, to know that the relationships we enjoy here will continue, and that I will be able to see my dear father-in-law again, hear him say, "That's great!" and see his radiant smile.

This picture is from Morgan's 68th birthday last year.  Brad made the cake out of Morgan's favorite food, Little Debbie Swiss Rolls.  I love the look of pure delight on his face!