When your kids marry, families are joined and embraced. When our son married, his new wife brought with her a fantastic family, loving and very caring of one another and of the world. Key among them was her stepfather, Tim James.
Last night, Tim collapsed and died in his driveway. It is a stunning shock to all of us. He was only 48.
To tell you how good a man Tim was, he was a Christian in the best sense. In other words, he quietly tried to live a life of service to humanity as he understood the meaning. He was ordained in his church just a few months ago, along with his wife. He served on missions to Uganda, but in extensive talks with him, he understood the necessity of accepting their culture and of not turning them into dependent welfare recipients. They were teaching the people sustainable agriculture methods and I think working with them on sanitation practices. He would travel there every few weeks.
We as a family are stunned and gather in close embrace, our only way to deal with this sad event. The man will be truly missed. But, I have to think that his God is welcoming him and telling him, “Well, done!”
My condolensces to you and your family. Isn't it true that the good die young?
ReplyDelete@Delirious
DeleteIt is in this case.
My thought are with you and all the family. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. Prayers for all who mourn.
ReplyDeleteNever easy. In this case, it is the pain we share with those around Tim every day and the body blow that our kids have absorbed. In their youth, death of someone so young shocks them more, I think. And, of course, it is Tim's wife of only five years who is devastated.
DeleteTim was so young, and to pass away in an instant. All the family must be in shock, but his poor wife has to be stunned.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to her, and the family as well. My deepest sympathy.
Blessings ~ Maxi
@Maxi
ReplyDeleteShe is a mess right now, as I would be in her situation. However, right in the middle of me typing this comment, we found out what happened to Tim. He had a pulmonary embolism, developing a clot in his leg that traveled to his lungs over the past few days after flying home from Uganda. In other words, he died doing his service to others.
His wife is a bit relieved to find out that it is nothing she could have changed or that she should have seen coming.
48 is a shocking age to die at. My condolences to the family.
ReplyDelete@Rummuser
DeleteShock is the best word to describe everyone's response. Stunned fits in there, too.
I have to think that his God is welcoming him and telling him, “Well, done!”
ReplyDeleteThat - I think - is as good as it gets. My condolences to you and the extended clan, Fos.
@shackman
DeleteThanks. I am in agreement that is as good as it gets. I really wish he and Sheri could have had the richness of years, though. That part is so painful.
The richness of years eludes many of us. Best not to waste any precious time.
Delete@shackman
DeleteQuite true.