So much, so fast…

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

My emotions seem to be set on “slingshot mode”. 
 

I find myself shooting back and forth, between sorrow, an joy, and back. 
 

I have spoken at too many funerals, often with very short notice. In December, I had suggested to my nephews, that if they needed someone to speak, at their Daddy’s funeral, I would do so. Upon our (my wife and I) arrival at my brother’s funeral, having heard nothing, I settled into just being there as part of the congregation, and to show compassion toward those I love. I was in bad shaped, barely able to walk into the Chapel. My brother lived a very hard life, due to drugs and drinking. Within about 5 minutes, a woman from his past, whom I did not know, approached me, and said, “you are Billy, Ricky’s younger brother; right”. Not knowing who she was, I told her yes. She then says, “great, I understand you are an ordained minister”, I replied “yes, of sorts”. She then says “great, I only got ordained on line just two weeks ago for $15.00, so can you just do the entire funeral”? Shocked, my wife sitting beside me, and my older sister in front of me, turned to me and asked, “did I hear what I thought”? Both were telling me, “Honey, you can hardly walk, much less stand that long”. I told them that sadly, I know how to do this, and I had already ask my brother-in-law to pray. All I had was a list of four songs they wanted, and my scriptures, via my IPad. Once I was finished with the funeral service, my wife and my sister took up their stations, each standing on one side of me, while I spoke to family members. 
 

Also a couple of months ago, my wife was not at home, so a wonderful neighbor came to check of me, I had slipped into a diabetic coma. When they were trying to revive me, they told my children, (who arrived by time) the EMT, told them, “he is displaying stroke like signs”. As a result, I did not see my newborn granddaughter for a few days. 
 

The first Sunday dinner, I was able to sit and hold her, was the Sunday our oldest granddaughter had enough money to fund her entire mission. Then two, maybe three weeks later she received her mission call. She is going to Peru. I can’t, nor will I tell my family, I doubt when she leave in August, I will never see her in this world again. I hope I will, but I am wasting away, growing weaker everyday. 
 

One granddaughter born, and one leaving. I don’t know if there will be more grandchildren, or not, but nine is probably I will know in this life. 

As always forgive any errors, now a day, it is becoming more difficult to write. 

[Pyreaux]

Leaving a legacy is a grand thing, "As many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead." (Hebrews 11:12).

Edited May 21 by Pyreaux

[rpn]

So make sure you tell that granddaughter before she goes everything you want her to know before you die.  And then write her as you find out you are still around and thought of other things.   Maybe you will and maybe you won't.  BUT EVERY THING WILL BE OKAY, whatever happens.

 

(And while you are waiting, maybe write to your grandchildren yet unborn about what you want them to know about you.) 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

6 hours ago, rpn said:

So make sure you tell that granddaughter before she goes everything you want her to know before you die.  And then write her as you find out you are still around and thought of other things.   Maybe you will and maybe you won't.  BUT EVERY THING WILL BE OKAY, whatever happens.

 

(And while you are waiting, maybe write to your grandchildren yet unborn about what you want them to know about you.) 

Wonderful advice. Thank you. 

[Tacenda]

6 hours ago, rpn said:

So make sure you tell that granddaughter before she goes everything you want her to know before you die.  And then write her as you find out you are still around and thought of other things.   Maybe you will and maybe you won't.  BUT EVERY THING WILL BE OKAY, whatever happens.

 

(And while you are waiting, maybe write to your grandchildren yet unborn about what you want them to know about you.) 

Great advice rpn!

[Kenngo1969]

I cannot imagine how hard this segment of mortality has been, and is, for you Papa.  For what little they may be worth, you do have my sympathies.  Also for what it's worth, I'm reminded of what the Lord told Joseph Smith: "Thine adversity and thine affliction shall be but a small moment, and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high, and thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."*

Warm Regards and Best Wishes from a Brother in Christ,

-Ken

____________

*Illness, infirmity, and so on and so forth.

[Tacenda]

I just keep thinking Papa will pop back up to being well always, hoping so.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

On 5/22/2023 at 8:31 AM, Tacenda said:

I just keep thinking Papa will pop back up to being well always, hoping so.

I am hoping  to live a long life