A last request for Albert
Albert passed away last Thursday.
He died very suddenly, at home. We are awaiting the result of the inquest to give us the exact cause, but our own doctor thinks it was probably a massive pulmonary embolism, and that it was painless, and so quick that he wouldn't even have had time to be surprised, let alone afraid.
So, in a way, we have beaten the cancer. He will never have to suffer through the final stages of that horrible disease. He is at peace now, and out of pain.
Pray for him, and for us that we can find peace without him.
40 Answers
Sheila,
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for you at this time. Please know that many of us have you in our thoughts and prayers. You have many more friends than you probably realize, and all of us are praying that you will have a sense of peace and hope in the days to come. Please turn to your loved ones when you are feeling down and don't be afraid to let the tears flow from time to time. They are a testimony of your love for Albert and the wonderful time you had together.
There is a life after this and we can again embrace our loved ones who have gone ahead.
Sheila, in this very difficult time for you and your family,
know that you have the support and prayers of everyone here.
Below is a poem that my Mother would always send to people
who had just experienced a loss.
My Mother passed away with emphysema in 2008, but if she were here today,
she would tell me to send you this poem, written by A.L. Frink
Rose Beyond the Wall
A rose once grew where all could see,
sheltered beside a garden wall,
and as the days passed swiftly by,
it spread its branches, straight and tall...
One day, a beam of light shone through
a crevice that had opened wide.
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
then passed beyond to the other side.
Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
be comforted
~The Rose Blooms There~
its beauty even greater now,
nurtured by God's own loving care.
I am so sad to hear this, indeed life is but a vapor. But he is not gone, now he is with you more than ever. Anytime you want to speak to him go ahead, speak, and he will hear you. He has shed the mortal and put on immortality. He has shed the faulty and gained perfection. We live on in this demension, as limited as a fishes in a pond. He now lives in a new and unlimited demension. He looks down and pities us that we are not able to have the joy he now has. This is my faith... I hope it gives you some comfort. Later. I know that right now, words help very little. But because of our love for you, in our love for you, we must try.
Dear Sheila:
After the news you have given us, you could knock me over with a feather. I am left in a state of disbelief, and I cannot imagine what you must be feeling by comparison to me.
We like to think of ourselves, at times like this, as a caring community of supportive and loving members who, although separated by miles, oceans, continents and beliefs still, in some symbiotic way, feel the pain and anguish of your grief.
Over the miles and across the Atlantic, from my home in Canada, I hope you can feel and know that like others in this community I want to close ranks around you and extend my support and comfort to you. May Albert's soul rest in peace and may your own be comforted in your grief.
With a brother's love,
Moe
Sheila
There are never enough suitable words at a time like this.
That does not mean we don't want to say them but rather that one needs to be a poet and most of us are not.
Our thoughts are with you even if we can't find the words to express them.
Know it is true that "One day, soon, only good memories and feelings will remain"
1 Corintios 15:20-22 (Reina-Valera 1995)
20 Pero ahora Cristo ha resucitado de los muertos; primicias de los que murieron es hecho,
21 pues por cuanto la muerte entró por un hombre, también por un hombre la resurrección de los muertos.
22 Así como en Adán todos mueren, también en Cristo todos serán vivificados.
My dear friends
Thank you all for extending to Kate and I your love and care at this time.
We do indeed feel that we are surrounded by loving friends, both here at home, and, through this site, worldwide. The kindness and support that we are receiving from the town where we have lived and worked for all our lives is quite unbelievable, and humbles us.
We are also so grateful, and full of wonder, for the way that Albert left us. Those of you, and I know there are many, who have watched your loved ones through this kind of disease, will understand when I say that we were dreading the coming months, for him of course, but also for ourselves in having to helplessly watch and suffer with him. Now, that will never happen, and we have been spared all those bad memories, and left with the good.
I know the pain wil never entirely go, but already we are finding that we can smile at the good memories, and we know that eventually the joy will return, and that while we will never forget, we will learn to accept and to simply be thankful that we knew him, and were loved by him, for so long.
You and your loved ones are in my prayers.
I completely understand your situation. My mom passed away 2 years ago from the same nasty disease and just as Albert surprised you with his rapidity of leaving, so did my mom with me. My heart goes out to you in this strange time of grief and yet, relief - I know you understand. Just know that time is a true friend, and will eventually allow you your good memories of Albert without the pain you surely are feeling at this moment.
May you find joyful memories and peace very soon.
Sheila, my heart truly aches for you and your family. I too have burried someone I loved, who had fallen victim to cancer, and have experienced the myriad emotions that go along with it. I agree with your comment that you 'beat it', take heart in knowing that Albert is at peace. The alternative can often be far worse.
In times like these, I always feel like there is just far too little I can do or say to comfort someone, and words always seem to fail me. You are certainly in my prayers.
What? What? I didn't believe this. No, he still lives with you and your daughter.
Sheila,
I, too, send my sincerest condolences for your sudden loss of Albert.
I'm so sorry that we can't do any more than write a few words of sympathy to you.
I will pray for the family and wish that you and Kate find peace.
Marianne
Sheila, my heart goes out to you and Kate. Your family has been through so much. I am so sorry to hear about your sudden loss. I hope you are at least slightly comforted in the fact that Albert didn't have to go through those last horrible days of cancer. God in His mercy, allowed him to avoid that pain.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you in these coming days and weeks. I know there is not much that I can do for you physically, but I hope that feeling the love and support of all of your friends here in the forum will bring you great peace and comfort.
Abrazos mi amiga,
Nicole
Dear Sheila, I'd like to extend to you and your family my deepest and most sincere condolences.
I haven't posted on the Forum in quite some time, but I often stop by to read the comments. I've read your requests for prayer and I, like many others, have prayed with & for you and your family. Please remember that you are not alone.
May God bless you with His "peace that passes all understanding" as He continues to comfort and strengthen you and yours during this most difficult time.
