My sister’s husband’s sister was killed yesterday morning. She was driving to work and another driver crossed over the concrete median and struck her head-on. It was in town so their speeds were not high. She was in a SUV; he was in a full size pickup. She was DOA at the hospital; he will live.
Hers was a death which should not have happened. Her death was undeserved and unexpected. We are want to ask why? And what if?
Why her? Why at this time? Why in this manner?
What if she had left home just a little sooner? Or a little later?
We know that we are temporal beings and none of us have any guaranty that we will live to see tomorrow. We know that bad things happen to good people and that bad things happen to bad people.
As much as any of us can be considered to be good, my sister’s sister-in-law was good. But more importantly she was redeemed. She has now joined those who have gone on before us. Those like my grandparents, and my father, and my aunt and uncle, and several of my friends.
We are grieved at her passing but we are also gratified to know that we have the promise of being able to one day see her again.
June 13, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Man I wish I knew her so I could tell her tosay hello to my mom and grandparents for me! I am so sorry for your loss!
June 20, 2008 at 8:49 am
Thinking conversely–or inversely-or reversely–or in another way about this matter: Marvel not that someone so super was allowed to leave us so soon—marvel that we knew her and saw God in her. Sort of along the lines of not asking why God allows suffering, but why God gives us such wonderful things!! She was 5 years older than me. If in 5 years I die, and I receive 1/100th of the praise she received, I will die happy. I wonder how in the world she Was so super–she was a Johnson—Doug is a Johnson (!
)–she was married to Barney!!! for heaven’s sake!! God allowed her to go home for a quicker reward that she possibly desperately needed. So—what to do with the information/short time we got to know her? try to emulate her—she was loving and nice and kind—I will start now with my own brother—Michael, even though people say all those things about you, I will love you anyway. There–that ought to warm someone’s heart at my funeral. And while we’re talking about my funeral–I will put this in writing (typing) now—NO body at the funeral–give everything away (skin/eyes/liver/heart/lungs/kidneys—you get the gist) and if it is not giveable, have a bon-fire and burn it up. No night before “wake”–everyone just go to the movies and no traveling to the cemetary in the heat and/or rain (of course, since no bod)—everyone go out to eat, and then to the movies again. OK–so have you thought about it all in a little different vein? You do know, of course, that this life is one breath in the whole of eternity and I for one–have lived 51 years in pretty darn good health and happiness—I’m sure Cheri too was happy in life and eternal life.
June 21, 2008 at 9:48 am
Also–an addendum to the above—I marvel that we all manage to make it as long as we do on these streets with this traffic–just yesterday I had 2-3 near misses.
July 14, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Oh my goodness… I have been WAY behind in reading these blogs of Michael’s… Actually, I keep forgetting what he named his blog, and happened to see it as a link on Kathie K’s family blog. She thoughtfully lists it as “Michael’s Blog” so I don’t even have to think what that other word is that he uses for it. Speaking of Kathie K, I appreciate the fact that she reminds people that she has a new updated entry with photos via email, which makes me want to hit the link for it right there on the spot. Fortunately, she has made it so that one no longer has to go through national security screening in order to read and view. I definitely appreciated that. She and Rho win the prize for contributing the most comments to Michael’s writings, and I certainly am in awe of both of them for keeping up with it. I hadn’t even seen the one about my birthday before today. I am ashamed. However, this does prove to be quite an entertaining read when one lets so many blogs and comments pile up to read at one sitting. And I think it’s quite clever of Rho to reveal her own blog-world, disguised as a “comment”.
I just realize that my commenting here is not really addressing the particular blog entries that the system is supposed to generate, for which I apologize. I will say, Michael, that you do write very creatively and interestingly, and I enjoyed all that you’ve had to say… except for a couple of points in reference to my birthday. No, I’m not going to find that specific entry right now, my comment referencing it can just go here as well. The first thing that came to mind while reading your ode to Nancy Jo, is that we do have flies here in California, and now that I’m on that subject, I would like to know if anyone knows a good method of keeping them away. Secondly, while we truly do have some very nice weather a good part of the year, not every day is perfect. That being said, I don’t have any complaints. Regarding the subject of “lists”, I admit I’m not much into making wish lists. Your attempts at sending out Christmas lists of things you wanted people to buy you each year, didn’t really produce a whole lot, did it? However, I do like your example of sending e-cards at birthday time. That was a lot easier for me to do on your birthday last month, and I appreciated the protocol you set. Our sister Kathy didn’t know about that new precedent I guess, because I actually received a bd gift and a really cute paper (& song) card from her.
And now a couple of comments on last month’s entry about Cheri’s all too sudden and tragic passing. I appreciated all that Michael and Rhonda wrote. Cheri truly was an amazing lady whom we are blessed for knowing. In my opinion, she is one more proof that the Rapture is indeed happening – one by one. Some very special people get to actually enjoy seeing Jesus face to face before the rush. In case the Lord hasn’t sounded the trumpet beforehand, I side with Rhonda regarding wanting to omit a funeral event when it’s my turn. and if I don’t die in a plane crash, I especially would like to give away my frizzy hair, flat chest, and extra padded thighs to anyone who might be interested.