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No longer on the river and, again, an empty nester. Back to living on Fleming Island and making some more friends!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

"Welcome to heaven, Rick!"

My niece wrote a little comment on a photo of Timmy's posted on my facebook page, saying she missed him but knew he was having a ball in heaven. I wrote back that Timmy and the Lord got some more company from Good Shepherd tonight as one of our members, Rick, went home. He had put up quite the battle these past couple years with the most recent illness being the one to wear him out. Pastor got the phone call during our Bible study and opted to take it, expecting to hear the news we did get about Rick. As recently as Sunday yet Pastor was able to have a devotion for Donna and Rick, through blinking and head movement could they tell he could hear the Message.
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"Good night, Rick, and welcome to heaven!"
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Love,
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Shorty

8 comments:

Suzanne Chappell said...

Hi Kim,
As much as I don't really like the cliche' "he's in a better place, now", I can rest knowing that Rick's suffering on Earth has finally come to an end, and he can rest peacefully, and enjoy a Perfect Body in Heaven, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Gosh, he won't be the same without that peg leg!

I pray for Donna's comfort, who has lost her dear husband, as well as the rest of their family who will now have to adjust to his absence! I pray that it is a comfort to them that their husband and father are with his Savior!

Going up for communion won't be the same,without Rick sitting there in his wheelchair, ready to shake hands and give everyone that passed by a hug!

We'll miss you, Rick, but I'm glad you made it to Heaven! Maybe you can help them keep an eye on Timmy a bit! Although, you might be a character yourself now that you're perfect too! *wink*

Love in Christ, Until We Meet Again!
Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Cindy here.

Thanks for the update. Mike Chappell came in to the pre school and told us they had taken him off life support but he was holding on.

"Shakey" did have a rough few years. He always joked about me picking up young boys in the parking lot where he worked, and I waited for MJ and Dave to get out of OPHS.

" Shakey" is at peace now.Donna will be in my prayers. It had to be so hard for her.

I think Rick was cheating, he called me Shorty too! He would laugh because I would always threaten to kick him in his good leg.

He is finally at peace and as Miss Deb says, having a party in Heaven.

Kim Lahaie Day said...

God morning, Suzanne:

We have so many miracles and come-back kids in our congregation but Rick really took the cake, did he not? Wow! What a fight he gave!

Donna already has a name plaque under a tree along the driveway for her first husband who died before we moved here. She has been a trouper, too, through all this health problems for Rick, herself, and her mom.

Many last night mentioned about him greeting at the communion rail from his wheelchair.

Timmy might be the one keeping an eye on him!

Hugs,

Kim

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Cindy!

Yes, he was cheating on us because I heard him call others "Shorty", too! Humphf!

"Shakey", as his license plate attested, had Parkinson's disease but that did not prevent him from delivering pizza or serving as an usher, even after he lost his leg. I remember when he would hand the collection plate and the coins were jumping all over the place before the end person could grab it......

It just won't be the same, will it? And neither will heaven!

Hugs,

Kim

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim,
I am so sorry to hear about Rick. Please send my sympathies to Donna. I remember them quite well. Unless my memory is doing tricks on me (it could at thiis age of modern maturity, Rick was in a wheelchair when I was a member there. Please tell Donna she will be in my prayers--for comfort and strength during these difficult days ahead. Also how is Twila doing?

kathy b said...

Though I knew Rick for a very short period of time he was always quick to greet me with a smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Upon remembering him, it will bring me a smile! I know we all rejoice with heaven upon his new home!

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Rosalie!

I certainly will express your sympathies to Donna. He was in a wheelchair part of the time, perhaps when he had his leg amputated some years ago, but since then he wore a false leg and could usher and all that. Most recently he was in a wheelchair or used a walker until he had a heart attack around CHRISTmas.

Twila is doing well, in rehab now, and I plan to see her late this afternoon. I will say Hi! to her from you, as well!

Love you!

Kim

Kim Lahaie Day said...

Hi Kathy!

You are so right about the twinkle in the eye! He really was just too much for Donna sometimes.....like a big kid! Life will certainly be different for her now that he is gone home. I am waiting for her to call me, but perhaps she is handling the arrangements by herself. Off to lunch!

Hugs,

Kim