On Oct. 7, my brother had thyroid surgery. One week later, his wife went into intensive care. She died Oct. 17. While still planning her memorial service, he went in for his post op exam where he learned that the tumor they had removed on the seventh was malignant and they would have to take out his entire thyroid.
Jayne’s memorial service and reception were held on Nov. 19 – hundreds came. She was loved by so many.
After Thanksgiving, he put up his Christmas tree – angels and doves arrayed at its peak.
On Dec. 16, he had his thyroid removed and on Dec. 18, sang in his congregation’s Christmas pageant.
On Dec. 23, he mailed the last of his 60 hand-printed Christmas cards -- the most beautiful he has ever created. I’m going to frame mine – wonderful linoleum block prints of blue birds in a scarlet tree, resplendent azure and crimson on white.
We went to the Christmas Eve service at his church where he, with others, sang five songs. [And I learned that they had removed all the cancer when they removed his thyroid.]
We made it through Christmas Day together - as did his sons and their families. I know each of us had moments of intensely missing Jayne. But we had enough love to share and, who knows? perhaps she was there with us amid the great un-wrapping and the over-abundant food.
If I needed an example of a resilient human spirit, I need look no further than my brother, Bill McClure.
Hallelujah!
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