Redemptive Suffering and Letting Go
We met Grandpa Doug after our family had been through another series of losses. Grandpa Leonard had died suddenly (doing what he loved; playing golf) and I had said good bye to one of the women I was priviliged to sponsor in my 12 step program (she had died of alcoholism, hooked up to an alcohol drip in the alcohol ward of a general hospital. It was a slow and ugly death, but I had been given the opportunity to hold her hand while she entered into eternal life. It changed me in a profound way).
Not being the brightest or best of the bunch, I remember thinking "Who is this guy?" the first time he showed up with Grandma Bobby at a family function. Slight in frame, brilliant blue eyes and a great smile, Grandpa Doug was quiet and shy. We, on the other hand, are boistrous and loud on our QUIET days and I seriously doubted whether this man would want to hang out with all of us for long.
Then the youngest nephew demanded that Doug accompany him to the bathroom. The baby was just getting a handle on all this grown-up toilet using stuff and it was quite an honor to be asked to go with him to the bathroom. There was a definite ritual involved, including a rousing cheer of "YOU DID IT!" once the bodily function had been completed. I whispered that to Doug as he took baby nephew's hand and started down the hall.
A few minutes later Doug came back with baby nephew. He was laughing. He told me, "You forgot to tell me about the song I am supposed to sing while he goes poo. I also was informed that I had to 'wipe his butt'. Don't send me into battle improperly equipped".
I knew right at that moment that Doug was a gift from Our Creator.
Every once in awhile, Doug would try to talk me into becoming a runner. I can't do that kind of exercise - having titanium knees means never being able to jog for extended periods of time - but he kept at me on exercise all the time. Finally, I had to tell him that, unless someone or something is chasing me, I ain't running. He nodded and said,"Yeah, well...I suppose if you were somewhere it was necessary to do, you'd just do your best and prepare to meet Jesus".
The guy was hilarious.
Today we will gather with friends and family to honor this man. He brought so much to a fractured and hurting group of people. I know that now he is in a much better position to help us all but I am going to miss his bright eyes, flashing smile and great hair. I am going to miss him teasing me about being able to eat all the carbs he wants because he's a runner. I am going to miss his input on the kids and his willingness to put on a wetsuit to help the niece 'train dolphins' at Marine World.
This is part of life, I know. I just wish it could be on MY timetable.
But I suppose that would make me God, huh?
And quite frankly, I don't think I am up to that job.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace.
amen.
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Did grandpa Leonard get hit by a golf ball?
?
Did the lady hooked up on a drip system of alcohol at the hospital die of alcohol poisoning? That's not right I don't think.
you are very mean
What a mean man or woman you are....I do not understand it.
Grandpa Leonard died of a heart attack while playing golf.
When someone is dying of alcoholism, they can reach the point of not being able to go WITHOUT it at all. In other words, a person's alcohol level drops to a certain level in their blood stream and they go into violent, painful seizures. For those people, being on an 'alcohol drip' allows them to die peacefully without violent seizures.
Hopefully, this answers your questions.
I would appreciate it if you no longer commented on my writings. You are too mean.
LSK49rs, Onebrickshort I wasn't sure if it was a joke or what.
Onebrickshort, what an insensitive comment to make. I had to read your comment over and over. I didn't know if you knew how he died or if you were trying to be cute. After LSK49rs commented I see that you were making an attempt at being cute. Your name says everything we all need to know about your intelligence "onebrickshort". Not sure who you are but you owe LSK49rs an apology, you were being just plain rude. Whatever your issues are with LSK49rs, it does not excuse your making fun of a loved ones death, not ever.
She's Right One Brick Short
Why would you even say something like that? It wasn't funny, and it was just callous. For goodness sake.
Some of my Classical Guitar Playing
http://www.your-lesson-store.com/audio.html
thank you both
We never know
how we will impact others - I am so glad that God gave you the treasure of Doug and Doug the treasure of you, LSK! God rest his soul...
I was being sincere.From
I was being sincere.
From Medical Correspondent Dr. Steve Salvatore
HILTON HEAD, South Carolina (CNN) -- Golf can be a healthy way to exercise and have fun, but it can also lead to severe injuries or death.
According to government statistics, more than 370,000 people have suffered serious golf injuries over the past few years. Many of these required hospitalization; others were fatal.
"The most common injuries that most folks are reporting to the emergency rooms across the country are actually related to head and face impact issues -- either the ball or the club actually impacting the face or head," said Dr. Dave Janda of the Institute for Preventative Sports Medicine.
As far as hooking an alcoholic up to an alcohol drip machine and pumping in more alcohol until they die, I find that hard to believe. Especially when it's a slow process. But I'm not a Doctor and I don't work in a hospital, so maybe that's what they do and I just don't know about that stuff.
Sorry about your grandfather and I can now see it's natural causes not another golf ball or golf club accident. May he rest in peace.
onebrickshort - I recommend
onebrickshort - I recommend that you go back, read the article very carefully...LSK was writing about Grandpa Doug. Grandpa Leonard passed way while playing golf. The article was very clear on both points.
Since you have no idea, evidently, of an alcoholic's physiological need of alcohol (by your own admission), why don't you research it instead of deciding that is is something that you do not think should be done.
LSK49ers
While you need no help in defending yourself the actions you speak of love and the spirit of a great religion which in dying we see God for perhaps the only time in our lives.
When my father died, i bent and gave the good bye kiss, and stated that his death would be painless, and I swear he opened his eyes in thanks. We all have stories why some lunkhead wants to distort a story few have experienced its a sad commentary on how small so many are.
thank you everyone
I think it is obvious that another agenda is being brought into the discussion. Again, I would suggest to the man/woman who is calling my veracity into question that they not participate in this discussion. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to contribute to something they believe is being offered by a dishonest person.
Yesterday's service was beautiful. Doug was sent off with love and laughter and great food.
Love, laughter and great food!
Most perfect, most perfect. May God rest the soul of His Servant, Doug.
We all have people we least expect
to impact our lives as your "Doug."
The Chicago suburbs were a teaming mass of migrants from the City. En masse neighborhoods would displace to what are now very toney areas. There was a prep school there, and the truth of haves v have nots emerged coming from Ft Wayne, Indiana and knowing just about everyone. Hockey knew no finances it was hockey at its finest. From Cleveland came another named Kevin O'Donnell who as life long freinds mutual best men at are respective weddings his United Airlines/Mobile Oil and mine pretty basic fare.
Kevin was a rocker. Gloria days and nights with Rick Sahns the latter a jerk but nonetheless the Shadows of Night were the sleepy burgh Arlington Heights.
So two out of towners literally became life long freinds. On his passing his brother called and asked if i had heard from Kevin as of late and not since father's funeral in 03 or neices wedding in 08 but the news his brother brought was disturbing.
Leukemia and a stroke and suddenely the number long held is no longer working and his memory is harder to shake than that of family but for far differnt reasons.
He like I had two kids met them twice, he Catholic as I; and his spouse while never divorcing were separated fpr alsmost 20 years. I ramble as Kevin's death caught everyone off guard. He picked up with a gal 20 years his junior so his esrtarngement with family was obvious.
It isn't always the brother or sister you thought you knew, I know of them all but know not one, too many years apart and busy out west and they very cosmopolitan. It's people you know that mean the most, your siblings you would have and did go to bat for frequently as kids, not however in our respective adolesence.
Kevin's father was an ass and Mary Catherine a superb writer and columnist back east cameand walked onto the Marine Base, he was an Army intelligence officer WWII and dropped in to see me in May 1975 after evacuation of Viet Nam. Starnge that you had a man who came into your life you weren't sure of. Life is too short to forget those who meant so much.
My granddaughter will be here Thanksgiving, and i think of what my very wise Irish Great Aunt used to say, for every door that closes another opens. She was right in almost all things.
Enough then, leave it to chief sister who wished she was a man, to call on conference and we all should make the effort said she. So if kids can take a road trip, back east we go perhaps for christmas, starnge as there aredozens of cousins i have never met...funny how a stay at a Trappist Monastery gave those kids the impression I was still there...as I do now as I ponder the decsoion of the Maryknolls, perhaps I will make Africa afterall. To you Doug may he rest in the loving arms of His Creator
I went a bit on, I only hope he knew the genuine affections you felt, as i have stated the last 30 days of my fathers life in his delerium he was a Catholics Catholic we read our favorite passages, he knew he was going. We laughed more in theose 30 days than in the 86 years of his life, except when golfing we had great times LSK I hope in time you look back and know he was who formed the beauty of your posts.
Your freind in Christ
Joe
Ms. Lsk
I am sincerely sorry for using OneBrickShort to attack you. You do not deserve my wrath. I am a petty, happiness hating Christian basher. If I posted what I really wanted to say, I would say that you are typically a nice person that has convictions I don't understand. When I dont understand something I have a tendency to attack. Sometimes I just like to be mean. I apologize for that. You do not deserve it.
You are a good Christian and I wish you all the best in your life.
BikeRackV
thank you BRV