The past few months have been very challenging for Shirley and me because of the loss of people that were very important to us. As we age, more of our loved ones and family members die. However, no matter how painful their deaths are, we know that the love they shared with us and we with them will live in our hearts as long as we are alive.
Earlier this year, on July 6th, we lost Bev, who became our friend while Shirley was pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Louisville, KY. Bev was a member of a nearby Lutheran
church in our conference and we saw Bev and her daughter, Stephanie, frequently at various gatherings. They were both energetic, joy-filled, intelligent women, with great senses of humor who loved life. Shortly after Shirley accepted a call to Alpena, MI. Stephanie was diagnosed with Melanoma.
Shirley walked through Stephanie’s 5-year battle with both of them (long distance), but especially with Bev. Heartbreakingly, Stephanie died in July 2017, and Bev and Shirley got even closer through long phone conversations over the next five years. Sadly, Bev died in July of this year and her voice, wisdom, and laughter are missed terribly.
Then on August 29th Shirley lost, Sara, a dear friend of 35 years. Sara had a summer cottage at Birch Lake where Shirley, Bob, and their children lived before Bob’s sudden and untimely death in 1991. Sara, whose husband had died suddenly 10 years before, was a huge help in Shirley’s grieving and healing process. They shared countless hours of laughter, many games of Trivia Pursuit, Vodka slushies, hundreds and hundreds of deep conversations, and took many trips together for almost ten years before Shirley went to the seminary in 2000. She is remembered with much love and gratitude and will always be greatly missed.
On September 16th, we lost Vernon’s older brother Bennett. He had struggled with MS for over thirty-seven years, and for the past five years lived in a V.A. facility in Ohio. Even though he was stuck in his MS body he still found joy each day in his surroundings and life in general. He kept a really positive attitude and outlook on life and tried to live each day to its fullest.
One of the reasons that he was able to have that outlook was the love and support shown by his family and especially by his wife, Annette. However, very tragically we lost Annette on November 19th as well. Losing this couple so close to each other was really painful for us and all their family/friends. They had been married for almost fifty-six years, and Annette always made sure that Bennett got the help he needed on a daily basis. However, even with their deaths, we have some comfort in the words of I Corinthians 13: 3a that notes “Love Never Ends.” Annette, her sons, and their family/friends showed a love for Bennett and others that will last forever.
When we lose someone whom we love or who had a profound impact on our lives, it can be very painful for those left behind. For Shirley and me this recent period has caused us much reflection and sadness as we mourn these losses. However, their lives and love will be with us always. The lives and love of Bev, Sara, Bennett, and Annette live on in us and in the countless lives of others they impacted.
The link below is a video of my reflection on Annette’s life at her Memorial Service, and notes how her love will continue in family and friends. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2022 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
https://youtu.be/8iXOJFwZiS0
Earlier this year, on July 6th, we lost Bev, who became our friend while Shirley was pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Louisville, KY. Bev was a member of a nearby Lutheran
church in our conference and we saw Bev and her daughter, Stephanie, frequently at various gatherings. They were both energetic, joy-filled, intelligent women, with great senses of humor who loved life. Shortly after Shirley accepted a call to Alpena, MI. Stephanie was diagnosed with Melanoma.
Shirley walked through Stephanie’s 5-year battle with both of them (long distance), but especially with Bev. Heartbreakingly, Stephanie died in July 2017, and Bev and Shirley got even closer through long phone conversations over the next five years. Sadly, Bev died in July of this year and her voice, wisdom, and laughter are missed terribly.
Then on August 29th Shirley lost, Sara, a dear friend of 35 years. Sara had a summer cottage at Birch Lake where Shirley, Bob, and their children lived before Bob’s sudden and untimely death in 1991. Sara, whose husband had died suddenly 10 years before, was a huge help in Shirley’s grieving and healing process. They shared countless hours of laughter, many games of Trivia Pursuit, Vodka slushies, hundreds and hundreds of deep conversations, and took many trips together for almost ten years before Shirley went to the seminary in 2000. She is remembered with much love and gratitude and will always be greatly missed.
On September 16th, we lost Vernon’s older brother Bennett. He had struggled with MS for over thirty-seven years, and for the past five years lived in a V.A. facility in Ohio. Even though he was stuck in his MS body he still found joy each day in his surroundings and life in general. He kept a really positive attitude and outlook on life and tried to live each day to its fullest.
One of the reasons that he was able to have that outlook was the love and support shown by his family and especially by his wife, Annette. However, very tragically we lost Annette on November 19th as well. Losing this couple so close to each other was really painful for us and all their family/friends. They had been married for almost fifty-six years, and Annette always made sure that Bennett got the help he needed on a daily basis. However, even with their deaths, we have some comfort in the words of I Corinthians 13: 3a that notes “Love Never Ends.” Annette, her sons, and their family/friends showed a love for Bennett and others that will last forever.
When we lose someone whom we love or who had a profound impact on our lives, it can be very painful for those left behind. For Shirley and me this recent period has caused us much reflection and sadness as we mourn these losses. However, their lives and love will be with us always. The lives and love of Bev, Sara, Bennett, and Annette live on in us and in the countless lives of others they impacted.
The link below is a video of my reflection on Annette’s life at her Memorial Service, and notes how her love will continue in family and friends. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2022 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
https://youtu.be/8iXOJFwZiS0
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