Friday, February 8, 2019

Snowy Friday

Our light dusting of snow predicted for this morning is still coming down with over 6 inches so far today. Snow is also predicted for tonight, tomorrow, Sunday and several days next week. I never should have written about the mild winter we were having! I’m getting payback now.

Socks were finished and put in the mail to my mother-in-law. She should receive them tomorrow

I started making mini Christmas stockings for the veterans home for next Christmas. I have 100 of these to make so I thought I should get started. I will fill these with sugar-free candy and take them to our local veterans home before Christmas. I would like to do other things for the residents throughout the year. If any of you can think of anything small that I can do, please share your ideas. So many people donate at Christmas, which is wonderful, but then they are forgotten the rest of the year. I would like to honor these men and women all year long.
This is a wheelchair blanket that I’m working on right now. I have another row of squares to go and then the border.

We had sad news in our family this week. My nephew Brian, who was 39 years old, collapsed last Friday morning when he got up to go to work. They believe he had a stroke. He was put into a medically induced coma and his body temperature was lowered, hoping to give his body time to recover over the weekend. Brian never regained consciousness and passed away Monday evening.
Apparently it has been all over all of the news stations in Omaha, Nebraska this week. I will provide a link for you to watch just one of the coverages of the Walk of Honor at the hospital at 2:30 this morning for him. It was only the second Walk of Honor ever at Bergen Mercy Hospital. There were over 200 people lining the hallways. Family and hospital personnel of course, but also dozens of first responders. Firefighters, ambulance drivers, paramedics, state patrol and police officers. Brian was very well respected in the community and was a firefighter for the Ralston Fire Department.

There are also several news stories at wowt.com. Although he passed Monday night, it took until this morning to arrange everything that needed to be done. Brian has donated any part of his body that is needed and so many, many transplant teams had to organize and get recipients prepared. This is been a horribly long week for members of my family. I think I’m the only one that doesn’t live in close proximity. It has been very, very hard to be out here by myself,  knowing what they were all going through. Brian was a very giving person and has continue this giving even in his death, by providing so many transplant recipients another chance at life.  The fire chief said in an interview that it was typical of Brian, who was so giving in life to be still giving even in his death.

Would you please pray for my brother Lynn and sister in law Val, along with Brian‘s wife Tara and their children and grandchildren?  My niece and nephew, Doug and Maureen, Brian‘s brother and sister, are also in need of a lot of prayer. They were a close family. Brian was very active in many volunteer roles throughout the church and the community and will be very missed as you can tell by these new stories. He lived a big life. 

Brian can now say these words.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  Second Timothy 4:7

And hear these words.

“Well done good and faithful servant.”  Matthew 25:21

Although we will miss him here in our family and in the community, the angels are rejoicing in Heaven because Brian has gone home.

Blessings,
Betsy

16 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear of your nephew's passing. He seems to have been a very special guy. May his memory be a blessing.

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  2. Imagine the lives that Brian's donations are touching. The ripples of this act will touch more and more people (family, friends, and acquaintances) than anyone will ever know. God Bless your brother and his extended family at your his difficult time.

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  3. Oh that is so sad Betsy. You are in my heart and prayers. As the mom of a daughter nurse who works in Organ donation, his gift is life . Over and over. Walks of honor are amazing. thank you for the link

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  4. Good thoughts and virtual hugs to you and all of your family. His service on this earth will be remembered and praised as he passes to a higher calling.

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  5. My goodness , your nephew was a hero, saving so many lives through organ donation. That was a touching video, than you for sharing it, I will keep your family and Brian's in my prayers.

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  6. Love those sox, big and small! So sad to lose Brian so soon, my friend! Have been praying already for family including you and Dennis! I'm sure it's hard to be away from family at this time of loss. Stand down, Brian, your mission is complete! Thankful he knew the Lord as well! Hugs my friend!

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  7. Dear Betsy, I'm so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of such a fine person as your nephew. I always struggle with why good people die young and some really bad people live long lives. I and sending healing thoughts to you and yours, my friend. ((hugs)), Teresa

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  8. Oh, Betsy! That is SO sad about your dear nephew. You can just see the kindness in his eyes and how giving he was. A sudden death like that is so hard to bear, and I just trust God will wrap His loving arms around every one of the people you mentioned, and you, too, my friend. It is so hard to understand why this had to happen, and I suppose we will never make sense of such sadness. I am so very sorry. It is so kind of you to do that for those veterans. I can only imagine how much they appreciate that at Christmas, and like you said, they do get neglected throughout the year. I hope you are able to come up with some ideas. My suggestion is visiting. I don't think anything in the world means more to them than to have someone actually take time out of their day and busy life to actually look them in the eye, stop and sit down and hear their stories, and stay for an hour or two just being with them. Many of them are so lonely and forsaken, and I think someone's time is the greatest gift they could ever give. Some are blind, and it would probably mean the world to them to hear the Bible read to them, too. Just being there means the most.

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  9. Oh dear Betsy, I weep with you dear sis and all Brian’s family, what comfort we have though as believers ... yes we have goodbyes but they are not forever goodbyes but here, there, or in the air... we WILL meet again in Christ we are truly blessed as Brian and so many of our dear ones are now.
    Praying for all wholoved him, for God’s comfort, and for every recipient to recover and not only to know the gift of physical life but also eternal life in Jesus too before they pass also.
    Amen even so come Lord Jesus. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
    I’m loving the wheelchair blankets and socks and the gifts for veterans I’m thinking cookies if home made variety or such in small bundles is something my dad loved in the nursing home, a little taste of home, or pecan pie or such to have with a cuppa.
    Hugs dear friend praying for you Betsy,
    Shaz in Oz.x

    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
    {Wonderful Words Of Life - Shaz in Oz}


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  10. You are all still in my prayers. Sadly the link is unavailable in my area so I was unable to watch the march of honour. I love the wheelchair blanket such a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Maybe a keyring with a heart for Valentines obviously not this year. An egg cosy for Easter...

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  11. So very, very sorry for the loss of your nephew Brian. May God fill you and all of his family with the peace only He can give. Much love to you ❤️
    God bless,
    Aimee

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  12. I'm so sorry to hear this Betsy. That is truly heartbreaking. And yes I will pray for everyone.

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  13. Such sadness my friend. Just horrible news, yet in his loving nature he continues to give life to others. You are in my prayers my dear friend. Sending you love.

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  14. so sorry for your loss of this generous man! Will be praying!

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  15. Sending lots of hugs to you and your family on the loss of Brian. He was an amazing person.

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  16. Dear Betsy, I am very sorry to hear of your nephew's sudden death. So very sad and extra hard when it happens so quickly like that. Takes awhile for the brain and heart to understand what's happened. Prayers of peace and comfort for the family. You have written a very lovely tribute to him. Kindness and generosity runs in the family. You do so much for others. All of your projects are absolutely wonderful. I don't know why it has to be so hard here to find ways to give back with crafting. You take care, stay warm and safe, and have a good weekend. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

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