Every once in a while something strikes us much too close to home.
Two or three times each year our church has a Boomers’ Banquet. Several years ago a couple organized one and it has become a popular event for us geezers.
Although everyone else dresses casually, Ed, as host, dresses up in a tuxedo. Brenda always wears an evening gown. I hesitate to guess at her age but would put it somewhere close to sixty. Few of that age exhibit anywhere near as much energy.
Our church quit counting membership but Easter before last the combined attendance for all services reached over 8,000. The talent therein is greater than even that number would suggest. The Cadillac Cowboys and others entertained. Outside professional talent also was engaged.
I would guess that the attendance is in the neighborhood of a thousand. Organizing such a show and dinner is quite and undertaking, particularly on a volunteer basis. It’s difficult to think of another couple willing and able to give so much of themselves for such a labor of love.
Five or six weeks ago Brenda appeared to have a cold or the flu. Her doctor gave her an antibiotic. She got worse and was taken to the hospital. She didn’t respond to treatment. The doctors asked if she had been out of the country. She hadn’t.
She worsened. They put her into a coma, where she has remained for about five weeks. Obviously, she has been in ICU. She was given a tracheotomy and tubes were put into her lungs.
Last night I received a call from Fred, who keeps our class in touch with whatever is going on. The doctors had told Ed to gather the family around. That is not something one wishes to hear.
As I write this, I haven’t received any further word. I am just sitting here thinking that we have no promise of tomorrow. Here was a healthy bundle of energy six weeks ago. Actually, this could have happened to a 20-year old kid.
At the moment I have no close for this post. I just wait, as do all the many friends Ed and Brenda have accumulated over the years. To both of them and their family I need not tell them they are loved and wished the best. There really is nothing we can say at this point that will lessen the pain they are enduring.
To the rest of us, appreciate life and friends and family while we are able.
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