God's timing is perfect.......

We have a minister friend, Don and his wife, Sharon, who we met several years ago and bonded immediately with them. We visited back and forth in our respective churches and when Edward had surgery for an abdominal aorta aneurysm, Don and Sharon made the trip, the length of our state (a very long state) to visit with us.

Don, full of dry wit and an infectious laugh, always make you feel better about everything. A very able and dedicated mininster, he was all business in the pulpit...

We were with them the first of this year. Edward was supplying at a church a couple of hours from where they live and they came down to church and afterwards we went out for supper. Don was telling us that he planned to retire this year or next and plans that he and Sharon were making. We had not seen them since.

Just shortly after that, Don passed out at work. He was advanced in telecommunications in Atlanta. At first, it was thought that he had experienced a stroke or maybe a heart attack. After much testing, the terrible news was that he had Melanoma on the brain with no outward signs..... He continued working and preaching.....As time marched on, he began treatments and had gamma knife surgery. He never waivered in his faith and encouraged so many people in their Christian Walk. He sent emails proclaiming God's sovereignty and lessons to be learned from his illness. The cancer continued to spread until it was all over his body.

Sharon stood by him and saw to his every need and was such a lesson on what a caring wife should be. She taught us all by example.....

Hospice was called in to begin last weekend..

Last Saturday, Edward, Mike and Kathy (another minister and wife) and I went to visit Don and Sharon. Don was past talking but he recognized Edward and Mike and let them know that he was glad to see them. Sharon knew the end was inevitable, barring a miracle. She needed to talk about arrangements and make funeral plans and just to reminisce with people who knew and loved Don..Coming home the four of discussed how the time had been right for us to go.........

On Monday afternoon, the call came that Don had passed away. He had won the victory and his family had all been present to bid him farewell.

His funeral is to be Saturday with Edward and Mike conducting the service.

We will be going up on Thursday for the visitation and funeral on Friday.

Perhaps if you find it in your heart to pray for Sharon, the three children, grandchildren and Don's family, I know they would appreciate it. There but for the grace of God, it could be me....or you...

This will be our 5th funeral in a little over 3 weeks...........All dear, sweet friends.......

ANOTHER SAD NOTE:



Davis, Baxter and Drew Christmas of 2006




Saturday, Baxter, our daughter Mindy's collie, was hit by a car. He was x-rayed and had no broken bones or internal bleeding but was kept at the vet's hospital. Monday he had not responded much but when her husband went by to visit, Baxter heard Chip talking and he barked and drank some water. Yesterday, he went downhill and after consulting with the vet, it was thought best to put him to sleep. Chip brought him home and buried him beneath an oak tree. Baxter was a beautiful, loving, mannerly friend.....Farewell loyal Baxter.............