The week has been one of sorrow causing much sadness and reflection of what use to be! As we get older we tend not to take things for granted as we did when we were younger and thinking we were invincible!
As I am writing this new posting there is word of a plane crash just off the runway from our local airport. This brings back the memory of that fatal plane crash on November 14, 1970 when 75 lives were lost. It was the plane carrying the Marshall University football team, coaches, and fans with a crew of five. Many of those I knew personally, or they were family members or close friends to someone who lost their life that night. It made me as a twenty year old to begin to realize that tomorrow may not come for me on this earth.
Once the hurt and pain started to dissipate, life was taken for granted – again. Then I lost my grandparents to whom I was very close to in 1971 and 1972. This was the first time I saw my father break down and really cry! I would not realize that kind of pain until December 2, 2005 when my father passed away. It seemed that after losing my grandparents that the people I had taken for granted and I thought would always be there were suddenly leaving this earthly home and going to a far better place in heaven. One by one, I witnessed the pain Mom and Dad both experienced as they began to lose their siblings and in-laws. The pain I saw many of my cousins going through when losing a parent or sibling was causing me to again not to take the ones I love for granted! Their pain was heart wrenching, and sadly a pain I now know all too well when I lost not only Dad, but a brother, John, on August 5, 2008.
This past couple of weeks have caused both of us to reflect back on what use to be and will no longer be! A friend of Bill’s from his college days lost her father. This made us both realize just how many friends we have lost contact with from our youth. Many of those friends we reconnect with only when there has been the death of a loved one. I think we all get too busy and think that “tomorrow” will be a better day to contact them! But sadly, tomorrow is too late. This time of reflection was also brought on by the deaths of a cousin, a family friend who was more like family, and a dear lady from church who would help me with decorations for our VBS.
James Alfred Blevins Sr. was my cousin. We got the news of his death last Sunday. He was one of ten children to Dad’s sister and brother-in-law, Aunt Oma and Uncle Alf. I was closer to my aunt and uncle and the “younger” members of the family which included Pat, “Snooks,” and Donna Gail. I knew Jim and his family a little better after he retired from the army and was able to get a job closer to family. He was a helicopter pilot, and I always wondered what it would be like to ride in one! I knew the rest of his siblings because they would come by and see Uncle Buck and Aunt Irene (Dad and Mom) when coming through to go see their parents in Logan. Jim’s family was a comfort to him during his last days here on earth never leaving his bedside. I hope that if any of the family reads this they know our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we love you! Jim’s obituary may be found at the following url:
http://www.loganbanner.com/printer_friendly/1827394
Leonard Keyser was a friend, a neighbor, family member, a humble man, a caring man, a loving husband and father, a doting grandfather, and the list could go on. Our family became acquainted with the Keysers when they moved in next door to us back in the early 60’s. It didn’t take long for our families to gel and become close friends. Dad and Leonard would go fishing and have great talks across the back fence. Both were hard working men trying to support their families. I always felt it wasn’t fair that when they moved in they had four boys and had two more later. Just what I needed – more boys in the neighborhood! Why couldn’t they have had a least one girl so I would have someone to be my buddy? We know the answer to that question – it wasn’t in God’s plan. Janet was and is very close to Mom –just like sisters. Mom is feeling Janet’s pain in the passing of Leonard from this world to his heavenly home! I’m sure he and Dad (with John right beside them) are catching up! Leonard always had a smile on his face even when he was in pain. His loving wife, six sons, and their families will truly miss him, as will his many friends and neighbors. A stranger would know how much Leonard was loved not just by the care he received from Janet, all the boys, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, but by the many friends he had. Leonard’s obituary may be found by following the following url:
http://www.klingelcarpenter.com/obituaries/tribute.html?urlName=Leonard-A.-Keyser-Huntignton-WV-2009&urlID=85110398
The third person to go home this week was a lady from church – Betty Ferguson. She passed away yesterday. She would come in to help me decorate the church in preparation for Vacation Bible School. She had artistic ability that was unbelievable! She was a humble modest person who was willing to do what she could to help do the Lord’s work. There were days when she and I were the only two working, and I couldn’t get her to slow down. She was a true blessing.
This posting is not just for those who Bill and I knew and their families, but it is for any reader who has lost a loved one. You are not alone in your grief and know that God is right there with you too. Our loved ones will forever be in our hearts.
2007 - Thanksgiving - Hillsdale
Swoosh, swoosh . . . . here come the "happy trees!"
