The Bible says the Lord provides, but maybe the Lord doesn't know Johnny's friends and family. No one has come forth to help with the funeral arrangements for this wonderful man who was an angel in life to them.
The most heart-breaking part of tending to Johnny has been watching as his friends abandoned him one by one. Boastful millionaires suddenly became broke when I asked for help to offset the costs of this catastrophic disease. The family wanted him disconnected from any assistance whatsoever as soon as Johnny had his heart attack. They didn't see any need to give him a chance to recover. They were more interested in the "Miller money" than the fact that Johnny had emphatically ordered his own feeding peg and breathing vent. It was only at that point Johnny finally reached of the machine breathing entirely for him that he gave up his spirit. That was Tuesday, February 24th at 9 am. He remains at the funeral home awaiting a deposit on his cremation.
This is the same man who gave generously to a host of causes as well as his family and friends. I remember watching his growing sadness as fewer and fewer people came to visit him. He is in a better place now. The psalmist says God heals all our diseases and death is God's way of saying "This too shall pass".
We're planning a Memorial on Saturday, March 21st from 2 to 4 pm in the condo's lounge. Aside from the people who have taken care of Johnny and those who work here who have been so gracious, I don't know what some people would be memorializing. If a man gave as lovingly as Johnny gave and I only took advantage of him in the good times and ignored him in his time of need, I would not want to "look back" on his life for fear of seeing my own.
Jesus taught us to never send someone away empty-handed. Perhaps all you have is a kind word, perhaps a resource that is at your disposal, a skill that you have, but I appeal to all those who read this to help in this last tribute to a great man. That he would be remembered in Heaven gives me great peace, but it gives me sadness that the world would forget a man who made my life worth living by giving me the love that my soul desired most. God bless any who can donate or help in any way. [See the sidebar]
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Did the Lord forget, or just the people?
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3 comments:
Debbie.. Buddy and I will be there to see you and say a farewell to Johnny. We know he is missed but is forever present in spirit. God will give you strength and peace in your heart. We love you..Sharon and Buddy
Debbie..so very sad that John's immediate "blood relative" family did not attend memorial nor did they send any sympathy card or acknowledgement of his passing. For all the financial gain they brag of, they unfortunately have not the most important character of quality. It has eluded them for so long and is something that they shall never aquire..and that is CLASS. The poorest man on earth can have unlimitless class and bearing..for it is not something that you can buy..you must learn and earn it thru grace and kindness and understanding. John DID have class as do you..he always smiled and was kind and gracious to all. I know it must have pained him so that his own brother, son, and nephew abandoned him..how sad.. But you always took the best care of him because of your deep love for him. we love you and miss Johnny.. Sharon and Buddy
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