August 23 – “The Call”

Well, the rains are continuing, though not in as drastic doses.  And they slowed enough for us to get the yard mowed and edged yesterday.  Chris even managed to trim the vines on the back fence.  Everything was doing its best to get out of control after the long-awaited drink of water.  So that was a good thing.

After we cleaned up we got ready to go to the big back to school bash at fire station one downtown.  They did a fundraiser to get school supplies for local kids who don’t have theirs yet (school starts tomorrow, I think).  The event also includes free hot dogs and games and … hey … they get to see real live fire fighters.  Exciting stuff, right? 

Well, we never made it to the fire station.  Oh, the event happened and I am certain it went well.  But Chris got a phone call from her brother in Victoria telling her that their Dad had been taken to the hospital and wasn’t doing well at all.  We made the decision to head there instead, so we turned the car toward Texas and started out.  Just before Lake Jackson Chris’ phone rang again.  It was her brother.  Before we answered we kind of knew it was The Call.  And yes, the news was not good.  Their Dad died on the way to the hospital.  She assured him that we were on our way.  Chris handled it like the trouper she is, of course.  It was tough, especially since she was driving, but she insisted that she preferred handling that part of the action.  Gave her something to focus on.  After talking and texting with her youngest brother, Mark (I did the texting for her.  Safety first, you know), Chris then called her sister, who lives in England, with the news.  (Again, all while driving.  That’s one strong lady).

We found Mark’s house in Victoria and spent some time talking through preliminary details.  While we waited for their other brother Lee to arrive from where he works in San Antonio, Chris took the opportunity to test-sit Mark’s Harley.  I did get a picture to post on FaceBook, and the hits are still coming.  What is the deal, folks?  I just got her a bicycle.  Let’s stick with that for a while, then maybe graduate to a scooter. 

Lee finally arrived and the conversation resumed.  Harold (their Dad) wanted to be cremated, so those arrangements had already been made with a local funeral home.  To give Cheryl time to get here from England, a memorial service was tentatively planned for next Saturday in Bay City.  Chris still has to make some phone calls to locate a venue there.  Hopefully something can be set up with the funeral home there to use their chapel.

Perhaps the most difficult part of the afternoon came when we all went over to the nursing home to clear out his room.  All they really wanted were the few photos and private mementos like his Navy and Korean War Veteran caps.  In a gesture of good will, they decided to donate his clothing and even his little television to the nursing home to distribute among poorer residents as they had needs. 

We ended the evening with a dinner at Golden Corral.  Well, the end would not come for another two and a half hours for us, since we still had to drive home.  We made it in safely around midnight last night.  And now … moving on.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

Father, please walk with Chris and her brothers and sister through this time of laying their father to rest.  Give Cheryl a safe flight over from England.  Thank you that Harold was more than ready for this day.  Greet him warmly.  Amen.