Comments on: Last Minute Phone Calls http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:11:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles » Blog Archive » Journey to the Far Shore http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-15033 Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles » Blog Archive » Journey to the Far Shore Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:22:46 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-15033 [...] September 17th, 2006 at 7:19 pm by Dee O'Neil Andrews Not to be morbid here in any way, but if any of you are still around when this shell of a physical body I live in goes back to the earth from whence it came - dust to dust, ashes to ashes - and my soul t akes flight, remember these words of mine today.  I write here my epitaph as I see death at this time in my life's journey.This has been a week of memories.  Memories of 9/11 last Monday for us all;  for us personally, memorie much more compelling.  Thursday was the fourth sad annual reminder of Tom's beloved daughter Kim's death.  I will not write of her now, but refer you to what I wrote last September 14, and I hope you will read it.  See her picture with Tom and her little daughter, Hayley - In Memoriam - Kimberly Andrews Oldham.I also remember my dad's death 10 years this date.  Here I offer you a special Wind Vane story from last September 30th, which tells his story and mine on his last complete, "perfect" day on earth.  Take the time to read about "A Perfect Day - September 15, 1996" and comment either there or here, your choice.I wrote the other day in response to Mike Cope's Wednesday post he called "The Last Minute Phone Call," about how I view death these days and why I always say "I love you" to Tom, my kids, my family, whenever we must say good-bye, even if for a short time.I’ve come to think of death as sailing off on our brightly colored Hobie catamaran toward the setting of the sun where the lighthouse on the not too distant shore gleams brightly ahead shining its glowing light across the water showing us the path to home. Across the waves I hear all the echoes of the many loving words shared and left between us and they, too, help guide the way.I close with a poem I wrote many years ago as a very young woman long before I ever had the chance to sail.  It was not written as such, but could today serve as my epitaph or eulogy complete.  I leave it with you to remember me by when - not if - my final earth day shall come when I set sail to eternal shores.  THE LIGHTHOUSE  Across the blue calm seaI see a safe place for me.Light, flashing brightOn wings of gullsReflects the silverOf the wavesThat beat a shining pathTo the shore.The door is thereBelow the stairThat upward leadsTo the lighthouseOf my soul.           Dee Ann Andrews              circa 1973  [...] [...] September 17th, 2006 at 7:19 pm by Dee O’Neil Andrews Not to be morbid here in any way, but if any of you are still around when this shell of a physical body I live in goes back to the earth from whence it came - dust to dust, ashes to ashes - and my soul t akes flight, remember these words of mine today.  I write here my epitaph as I see death at this time in my life’s journey.This has been a week of memories.  Memories of 9/11 last Monday for us all;  for us personally, memorie much more compelling.  Thursday was the fourth sad annual reminder of Tom’s beloved daughter Kim’s death.  I will not write of her now, but refer you to what I wrote last September 14, and I hope you will read it.  See her picture with Tom and her little daughter, Hayley - In Memoriam - Kimberly Andrews Oldham.I also remember my dad’s death 10 years this date.  Here I offer you a special Wind Vane story from last September 30th, which tells his story and mine on his last complete, "perfect" day on earth.  Take the time to read about "A Perfect Day - September 15, 1996" and comment either there or here, your choice.I wrote the other day in response to Mike Cope’s Wednesday post he called "The Last Minute Phone Call," about how I view death these days and why I always say "I love you" to Tom, my kids, my family, whenever we must say good-bye, even if for a short time.I’ve come to think of death as sailing off on our brightly colored Hobie catamaran toward the setting of the sun where the lighthouse on the not too distant shore gleams brightly ahead shining its glowing light across the water showing us the path to home. Across the waves I hear all the echoes of the many loving words shared and left between us and they, too, help guide the way.I close with a poem I wrote many years ago as a very young woman long before I ever had the chance to sail.  It was not written as such, but could today serve as my epitaph or eulogy complete.  I leave it with you to remember me by when - not if - my final earth day shall come when I set sail to eternal shores.  THE LIGHTHOUSE  Across the blue calm seaI see a safe place for me.Light, flashing brightOn wings of gullsReflects the silverOf the wavesThat beat a shining pathTo the shore.The door is thereBelow the stairThat upward leadsTo the lighthouseOf my soul.           Dee Ann Andrews              circa 1973  [...]

]]> By: annie http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14846 annie Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:56:55 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14846 "Once you tell somebody the way that you feel, you can feel it beginning to ease......" From "Shower the People" by James Taylor “Once you tell somebody the way that you feel, you can feel it beginning to ease……” From “Shower the People” by James Taylor

]]> By: Kathy http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14835 Kathy Thu, 14 Sep 2006 19:38:44 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14835 The most powerful of all reconcilliation words, spoken by our Father to us and by us to others: I love you!! The most powerful of all reconcilliation words, spoken by our Father to us and by us to others:

I love you!!

]]> By: Snapshot http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14834 Snapshot Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:52:18 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14834 Yesterday we received word that a 15 year old relative of ours was tragically killed in a freak accident. His family's pain is beyond my comprehension. He left behind a mom, dad, little sister, two sets of grandparents, an aunt, an uncle, cousins and a host of extended family. When I went to see the parents this morning, I had no words. Only tears and a hug. It doesn't matter how old, young, attentive, or dismissive someone is, you must tell them you love them. You must tell them you care. Even if they don't want to hear it. Yesterday we received word that a 15 year old relative of ours was tragically killed in a freak accident. His family’s pain is beyond my comprehension. He left behind a mom, dad, little sister, two sets of grandparents, an aunt, an uncle, cousins and a host of extended family.
When I went to see the parents this morning, I had no words. Only tears and a hug.

It doesn’t matter how old, young, attentive, or dismissive someone is, you must tell them you love them. You must tell them you care. Even if they don’t want to hear it.

]]> By: Mike http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14833 Mike Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:37:29 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14833 What a tragic, sudden loss, Chris. Thanks for allowing us to pray for that grieving family. What a tragic, sudden loss, Chris. Thanks for allowing us to pray for that grieving family.

]]> By: Chris Field http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14832 Chris Field Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:16:02 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14832 The young men that I talked about earlier (first comment on this post) did pass away last night. Please pray for his family over the next few days. His name was Brendan Murray. Thanks. The young men that I talked about earlier (first comment on this post) did pass away last night. Please pray for his family over the next few days. His name was Brendan Murray. Thanks.

]]> By: Keith http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14831 Keith Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:49:40 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14831 Thanks for keeping us accountable to each other Mike. Reminds me of the song growing up in church, "Angry Words," and how biting they are...but then the great chorus..."Love one another, thus saith the Savior...: Thanks for keeping us accountable to each other Mike. Reminds me of the song growing up in church, “Angry Words,” and how biting they are…but then the great chorus…”Love one another, thus saith the Savior…:

]]> By: Sarah http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14830 Sarah Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:31:27 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14830 One thing I've never regretted but not sure I've fully appreciated is that on almost every phone call ever made within my family, we always end in a "Love ya"...my parents, my brothers, my husband. And every morning before I leave for work, I always kiss my husband and tell him goodbye, even though he's still asleep. One thing I’ve never regretted but not sure I’ve fully appreciated is that on almost every phone call ever made within my family, we always end in a “Love ya”…my parents, my brothers, my husband. And every morning before I leave for work, I always kiss my husband and tell him goodbye, even though he’s still asleep.

]]> By: Frank http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14829 Frank Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:16:55 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14829 Makes me think of "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Makes me think of “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

]]> By: Mike http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14828 Mike Thu, 14 Sep 2006 17:13:04 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14828 Trey - Great link. Thanks. I just went and read Noonan's words. She ends with this: <em>"This is what I get from the last messages. People are often stronger than they know, bigger, more gallant than they'd guess. And this: We're all lucky to be here today and able to say what deserves saying, and if you say it a lot, it won't make it common and so unheard, but known and absorbed."</em> Trey - Great link. Thanks. I just went and read Noonan’s words. She ends with this:

“This is what I get from the last messages. People are often stronger than they know, bigger, more gallant than they’d guess. And this: We’re all lucky to be here today and able to say what deserves saying, and if you say it a lot, it won’t make it common and so unheard, but known and absorbed.”

]]> By: Bill http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14827 Bill Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:36:54 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14827 Yes, Mike, this is so apropos. We should not hold back. We should go ahead and make the calls! We should do it before we're faced with calamity so that we don’t have to ask a third party that we don’t know to try to convey the depth of our love to another person that she or he does not know. Also, think of all of the calls that did not connect. No matter how desperately some of these people tried, some calls just didn’t go through. What an empty feeling that must have been. This makes me think of Tim McGraw’s popular song: Live Like You Were Dying. I’ll take a pass on the bull named fumanchu; but it seems to me like it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if we would all… …love deeper …speak sweeter …give forgiveness we’ve been denying …and live like we were dying Blessings to you and yours, -bill Yes, Mike, this is so apropos.

We should not hold back. We should go ahead and make the calls! We should do it before we’re faced with calamity so that we don’t have to ask a third party that we don’t know to try to convey the depth of our love to another person that she or he does not know.
Also, think of all of the calls that did not connect. No matter how desperately some of these people tried, some calls just didn’t go through. What an empty feeling that must have been.
This makes me think of Tim McGraw’s popular song: Live Like You Were Dying. I’ll take a pass on the bull named fumanchu; but it seems to me like it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if we would all…
…love deeper
…speak sweeter
…give forgiveness we’ve been denying
…and live like we were dying

Blessings to you and yours,
-bill

]]> By: Trey http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14826 Trey Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:06:44 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14826 At the risk of pouring on, I'm attaching an article written by Peggy Noonan of the Wall Street Journal. It is a very moving reminder of what was on the minds of the people who knew they would die on 9/11. http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110008909 At the risk of pouring on, I’m attaching an article written by Peggy Noonan of the Wall Street Journal. It is a very moving reminder of what was on the minds of the people who knew they would die on 9/11.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110008909

]]> By: preacherman http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14825 preacherman Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:41:49 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14825 Great post Mike. Do we live like Christ might return anytime or we might die anytime. James tell us that our live is but a vapor here today and gone tomorrow. Time does fly. I would say to my family how much I love them. To my boys above all things be Godly and faithful. TO my wife your have been the greatest blessing and gift from God. Don't grieve. Live. And if you can love again. Live life abundantly. To my friends don't cry for me because I am going to a better place. To my enemies I forgive you...Get off the highway to hell and get on the stairway to heaven. Thanks again Mike for this great post today. Great post Mike.
Do we live like Christ might return anytime or we might die anytime. James tell us that our live is but a vapor here today and gone tomorrow. Time does fly.

I would say to my family how much I love them.
To my boys above all things be Godly and faithful.
TO my wife your have been the greatest blessing and gift from God. Don’t grieve. Live. And if you can love again. Live life abundantly.
To my friends don’t cry for me because I am going to a better place.
To my enemies I forgive you…Get off the highway to hell and get on the stairway to heaven.

Thanks again Mike for this great post today.

]]> By: Dee Andrews http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14824 Dee Andrews Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:06:25 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14824 Oh, Mike - I noted what time you wrote your post and realize it was about that exact time 4 years ago this morning, a lovely sunny September morning when Tom received the call from his daughter, Kristine, and his beautiful 33 year old daughter Kim who looked so much like her dad, tall at 5'10", slender, had just died of a burst aorta. Kim died within 15 or 20 minutes at home with the EMTs unable to do anything to stop the blood pouring through her body. I'm sitting here listening to Art Garfunkle's deeply moving song "Bright Eyes" with tears in my eyes and anguish in my heart for her loss. But Tom and I laughed together this morning and I wrote a humorous post on my blog. Kim would have wanted this for us and Tom always let his girls know how much he loved them, and they him. Tom and I never leave each other's presence or end a telephone conversation without telling each other, I love you. I am probably way to effuse in telling each of my kids and grandkids the same thing every time we are together or on the phone before we say goodby once more. I've come to think of death as sailing off on our brightly colored Hobie catamaran toward the setting of the sun where the lighthouse on the not too distant shore gleams brightly ahead shining its glowing light across the water showing us the path to home. Across the waves I hear all the echoes of the many loving words shared and left between us and they, too, help guide the way. Oh, Mike -

I noted what time you wrote your post and realize it was about that exact time 4 years ago this morning, a lovely sunny September morning when Tom received the call from his daughter, Kristine, and his beautiful 33 year old daughter Kim who looked so much like her dad, tall at 5′10″, slender, had just died of a burst aorta.

Kim died within 15 or 20 minutes at home with the EMTs unable to do anything to stop the blood pouring through her body. I’m sitting here listening to Art Garfunkle’s deeply moving song “Bright Eyes” with tears in my eyes and anguish in my heart for her loss.

But Tom and I laughed together this morning and I wrote a humorous post on my blog. Kim would have wanted this for us and Tom always let his girls know how much he loved them, and they him.

Tom and I never leave each other’s presence or end a telephone conversation without telling each other, I love you. I am probably way to effuse in telling each of my kids and grandkids the same thing every time we are together or on the phone before we say goodby once more.

I’ve come to think of death as sailing off on our brightly colored Hobie catamaran toward the setting of the sun where the lighthouse on the not too distant shore gleams brightly ahead shining its glowing light across the water showing us the path to home. Across the waves I hear all the echoes of the many loving words shared and left between us and they, too, help guide the way.

]]> By: GKB http://preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14823 GKB Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:37:24 +0000 http://www.preachermike.com/2006/09/14/last-minute-phone-calls#comment-14823 I'll have my phone with me all day, Mike, in case you want to make that call.... :) I’ll have my phone with me all day, Mike, in case you want to make that call….

:)

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