A card and heart-felt letter was mailed off to my last surviving uncle immediately after speaking with my cousin last week. My one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life Uncle Paul was about to be moved from the hospital to hospice care at home.
The call came as a complete shock. My Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary Ellen, 92 and 91 respectively, sounded great on the phone just a few weeks ago. They have been married for seventy-two years and have led an active and healthy life for all of those years.
My uncle’s eyes were watering and one lid was drooping, but other than that, all was well. After a CT scan on his head, the doctors discovered a mass behind his sinus area that was pressing on his nose and eye, another mass on the back of his skull, and they believed both to be cancerous. After moving him to the neurological wing of the hospital, an MRI came back with more shocking news. His entire body is filled with cancer, from his bones, to his lungs to his spleen.
God has blessed him with the absence of pain, a miracle! I always tell him how much he means to me, in every letter, during every conversation. You see, this man has been a role model and gift to me since childhood. He and my aunt have lived all of their married life in Oregon. When they came for visits, it was as if the clouds parted and the sun came out for all to see.
This talented athlete, all 6’3” of this delightful man, filled those visits with the most amazing feats. He walked on his hands down the block, held this delighted toddler in the palm of one hand, his arm straightened to the sky above, dove off cliffs, made us laugh until we cried with his corny jokes, and left us speechless with his escapades and love.
Most of all, he has lived by his life by faith. Our phone conversations always end in the same way: “Jesus is coming soon, Judy,” and “Shine your light,” followed by, “We sure do love you and your family and pray for you each and every morning.” What a gift to be savored. I can’t express how much I will miss his voice, his light, his testimony, his love and his faithful prayers covering me and my family.
My mom and her sister and another uncle were all born in Sweden, Paul was born here a couple of years after the family arrived. Swedish was spoken fluently, and a large group of Swedes would often gather around the piano and sing Swedish songs.
In the letter to Paul last week, I said to “Greet the Folks at Home.” In Swedish it translates to “Halsa Dem Darhemma,” one of the songs I still remember so clearly. My Uncle Paul will soon greet the folks in heaven, our forever home. Paul has been ready to go home to Jesus for some time. His beloved son, Dan, is there along with his parents and siblings. He is at peace and I know the Holy Spirit will surround their family as they wait for the angels to escort him home.
I hope you all have a larger-than-life person to bring wisdom and joy to your days, one not ashamed to speak loudly the word of Christ. Paul has touched many lives and I am more than blessed to have known him.
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
Dear God,
I do thank You for the long and amazing life of Uncle Paul. I pray his entry into his heavenly home will be soon and that the journey will be pain-free. And I know he will hear the words he has longed to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” The folks at home are waiting for a joyous reunion.
Amen
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