Friday, July 1, 2011

We remember you!

Ever since high school he knew an ominous kidney disease lay dormant in his body. However, with no symptoms and plenty of youthful optimism, college life was good. I met him in college.  We were in love and our friendship was blossoming.  I remember the night he called to disclose his medical diagnosis.  He wanted to know, would this alter my decision to continue the romance which seemed destined for marriage? The prognosis for degeneration was a future far from the present.  The carefreeness of being twenty- something had me believing we could beat the odds. And we knew our God was still very capable of mircles of healing.

Not until a toddler and an infant later in our 8 year marriage did slight symptoms show up.  We adjusted and altered our life-style as needed and hoped for the best, relying on God's grace for the journey ahead. As the disease became more invasive Joe began dialysis treatment and was eventually added to the kidney donor list at the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. Life expectancy and quality of life after transplant was very promising.

Almost a year after starting dialysis, other unrelated symptoms developed.  A month later he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and 29 days after that,  Joe, at age 42, died and entered eternity with Jesus who he loved and anticipated meeting face to face.

I was privileged to share life with this wonderful man for a short time.  This past Wednesday marked 19 years since his death.  Today, I am remembering and honoring a man who loved and served well.
-- loved God and his family
--obtained a graduate degree in Social Work at 31 years of age
--served as an elder and four years as assistant pastor at our church
--full of wisdom and a sought after counselor
--loved people
--overcame a rather severe speech impediment
--had no fear of death because he knew his God

Our three grown  children are trophy's of God's grace.  They have struggled and sorrowed and still bear the loss, but the Father of the fatherless has been faithful. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death and have overcome the fear of evil and am convinced that my God is with me. One of my life's verses is Psalm 46:1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. There were difficult and lonely days, but He never let go of me. Grace for unthinkable trouble can't be imagined ahead, but when faced with walking through the valley, God's grace is reality. You can count on it.

I am grateful to be married now to another wonderful man who has expanded my family to five children and at last count, 9 grandchildren.

What Joe taught our family by example and word will always be a part of who we are. We remember you today!

10 comments:

  1. What a truly touching testimony of God's grace in your life! I can't say I read this dry-eyed! Thank you for being raw with your emotions and letting us see the power of God even in hard situations. What a blessing to have five children and nine grandchildren!

    Living So Abundantly: New meme starting this coming Thursday, July 7, 2011, Give Back Thursday--join in the fun!

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  2. Hi Ruth,

    Thank you for sharing this testimony of love, faith, and courage. Joe's life serves as a reminder of God's grace impacting our lives. As you say, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

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  3. Thank you for this testimony of love, sorrow, and God's provision in every way.

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  4. I see Joe's testimony highlighted here, but I also see one of a young woman who showed a great example of what marriage vows are made of: for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Thank your sharing this wonderful story.

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  5. Ruth:

    This is a beautiful and moving tribute. Thank you for sharing this today.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  6. Reading this brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet love story. I'm glad there is a happy ending for both you and Joe. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    Blessings to you and your family.
    Charlotte

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  7. This touched my heart as I envisioned you as that young mother with unbearable grief. What a beautiful attitude you portray. I'm thankful you found your new husband without losing the preciousness of Joe.

    Blessings,
    Pamela

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  8. What a touching story,and a true blessing knowing that Joe is with Jesus. I am glad that the Lord has blessed you with another wonderful man.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  9. this is a beautiful tribute Ruth....

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  10. Ruth was a wonderful story of God's grace and love and mercy in the midst of such painful loss. What a wonderful tribute to Joe-

    Thank you so much for coming by and for saying a prayer for my Wild Thing son- I look forward to sharing how God will use this trip in Jonathan's and my life for His Glory.

    bee blessed
    mary

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Thanks for sharing your response!