More Loss

My brother-in-law passed away from a huge heart attack. He was younger than I am. His mother has now survived two of her children's and her husband's passing.

He lived a hard life for most of his years but was both gentle and quite competent. He was soft spoken and quite willing to speak. Thank goodness he was also eclectically knowledgeable. Perhaps the reason he was is that he interspersed his conversations with lots of questions, inviting the people he was conversing with to share their knowledge.

Due to the circumstances of his life, he was living with his mother. Just before his passing he had come home from a job and told her he loved her. (This is a lesson for us all and reminds me to let my family and friends know how much I care for them every chance I get just in the off chance that I won't get another one.)

I was not at the memorial service his close family had for him but his sister shared this eulogy with me:

"We thought we'd share with you what Tom read to us on his last Friday at lunch. I had no idea that he'd just read his eulogy to Mom and me. He said, 'I really like this and it's me. I have the right ticket.' Life has been hard for Tom because of the choices he made in his life, but we're thankful he listened and soaked in salvation from preachers setting in his chair with Mom listening to TV with her in the evenings and from going to church at St. Mathias. Just reading this piece from the Daily Bread on 2/24 that he thought fit him, les us know he's home safe with the Lord."
"Read: Matthew 16:21-28"

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? -Matthew 16:26"

"[At an exhibit of artifacts from the] infamous Titanic voyage, exhibit visitors were given a replica ticket with the name of an actual passenger or crew member who, decades earlier, had embarked on the trip of a lifetime. After the tour group walked through the exhibit viewing pieces of silver dinnerwar and other artifacts, the tour ended with an unforgettable twist."

"A large board listed the names of all the passengers, including their status--first class, second class, crew. As my friend looked for the name of the person whose ticket he was holding, he noticed a line across the board dividing the names. Above the line were the names of those who were 'saved' and below the line all those who were 'lost.'

"The parallel to our life on earth is profound. It really doesn't make any difference how the workld ranks your status. The only thing that ultimately matters is whether you are 'saved' or 'lost.' As Jesus said, 'What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?' (Matt. 16:26)."

"Perhaps you've already trusted in Christ for your salvation. But what about your fellow passengers? Instead of sizing them up by the externals, talk to them about their ultimate destination."

"It's not what I achieve that qualifies,
It matters not if I gain wealth or fame;
The only thing I must be certain of
Is 'Have I put my trust in Jesus' name?' -Hess"

"In light of eternity, what one believes is far more important than what one achieves." [-Daily Bread]

"Tom knew this was for him. God is faithful...all the time."

"Blessings to you all - Tom's Family
March 12, 2011"

I'm sure my in-laws would have chosen a longer life for Tom had they a choice but they have a measure of peace because of Tom's recent choices, including what they used in his eulogy above.

Rest in peace, Tom.