I recently attended the funeral of my friend's 43 year old brother who died of ALS. He was diagnosed only six months ago. Normal prognosis for ALS is 3 to 10 years so this was a particularly agressive form. He left behind his wife and three beautiful daughters.
There were many wonderful moments at Kirk’s funeral but these two will stick with me a long time.
His brother Kasey told this story:
His wife, Angie was evidently quite distraught one evening before he died and crying, saying she did not know how she would make it without him. She depended on him for everything. Kirk’s response was: "Angie, I don’t want you to grieve forever. I know you will have to sometimes. But when you do, please picture me holding your face gently in my hands, looking deep into your eyes, and saying to you, ‘Get over it!’”
Another story Kasey told:
Kirk’s mom was telling Kirk that she knew he would be so much better in heaven and would not miss them at all but how much they would miss him and it would be so hard to go on living without him. He replied, “I can understand that. I wouldn’t want to live without me either. I’m glad I won’t have to.”
What a gift, that in the midst of such suffering and pain, to have a sense of humor so developed that it can’t help but continue to come out. What a trust one must have in Jesus to allow it to. May we all find much humor in 2008!
Three weeks before he died, Kirk and his wife, Angie, spoke to their church in Olathe. It is recorded and posted at the church's web site. It is powerful.
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2 comments:
Cheri,
I did visit that site late(last?)night and viewed their church video: how amazing was that. I had no idea that he was so badly off and close to the end when you told me about them several weeks ago. I also confused (in my mind) ALS with MLS, so imagine my surprise when I read your post. One of the things they shared in the video that made an impression on me was the chapters of faith they have written over the years; the legacy that they have made for their children, of course not realizing when they started how their last chapter together would read.
Oh, and I liked the part about "Get over it!" best.
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