As we seniors pile on the years and those years move by so quickly, the reality of our mortality comes into clearer view with each passing day, week, month, and year. Someone once said, "we begin to die the moment we are born." Of course no one can dispute that obvious statement. My eldest brother Len passed into the Lord's hands last week after a bout with cancer. As can be seen in the obit from today's TIMES OF TRENTON, Len had a long and eventful life. I remember the horror on my mom's face that hot day in August, 1944 when the Western Union man knocked on our front door. All those who recall the dreaded visit of a Western Union man was a sure harbinger of bad news. The telegram from the War Department read, "Regret to inform you your son, Leonard is missing in action." Many prayers wafted their way to heaven on that day. It was the first and last time I ever saw my father cry. An answered prayer returned the next day when the same Western Union man delivered a telegram that said, "Disregard all previous message. Letter will follow. Love, Len." And so ends the very short saga of a true WWII hero, my brother Len.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: tglover320@optimum.net
Monday, April 23, 2012
2012: THOUGHTS ON LOSING A BROTHER
As we seniors pile on the years and those years move by so quickly, the reality of our mortality comes into clearer view with each passing day, week, month, and year. Someone once said, "we begin to die the moment we are born." Of course no one can dispute that obvious statement. My eldest brother Len passed into the Lord's hands last week after a bout with cancer. As can be seen in the obit from today's TIMES OF TRENTON, Len had a long and eventful life. I remember the horror on my mom's face that hot day in August, 1944 when the Western Union man knocked on our front door. All those who recall the dreaded visit of a Western Union man was a sure harbinger of bad news. The telegram from the War Department read, "Regret to inform you your son, Leonard is missing in action." Many prayers wafted their way to heaven on that day. It was the first and last time I ever saw my father cry. An answered prayer returned the next day when the same Western Union man delivered a telegram that said, "Disregard all previous message. Letter will follow. Love, Len." And so ends the very short saga of a true WWII hero, my brother Len.
6 comments:
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RALPH LUCARELLA said...
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HI TOM...WE ALL FELT THE SAME WAY WHEN MY BROTHER "CHUCK" PASSED AWAY. HE OVERCAME MANY PROBLEMS TO BECOME A HEART DOCTOR AND IN THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE DIED AT THE AGE OF 56. HE SUR VIVED A BAD ACCIDENT THAT ENDED HIS BASEBALL CAREAR AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY AND HE DECIDED TO TRY HIS LUCK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, CANCER ALSO TOOK HIS LIFE AND WE HOPE THE LORD WILL BLESS HIM. BEST REGARDS.
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Monday, April 23, 2012
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Anonymous said...
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Tom - Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eleanor & Tom Guear -
Monday, April 23, 2012
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JoeZ said...
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Tom: My deepest condolences on the loss of your brother. He is at peace now and in the good hands of the Lord.
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Monday, April 23, 2012
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SJBill said...
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Tom,
Our family is very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Len and the rest of the family survived the worst of life early on.
In the Navy we use the term "Sailor rest your oar."
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. -
Monday, April 23, 2012
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JoeB said...
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Tom:
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Are prayers go out to you and your family. We know he is in a better place.
Sonnie and Joe -
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
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Mack said...
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My condolences to you on the loss of your Brother, Tom :(
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Saturday, April 28, 2012
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HI TOM...WE ALL FELT THE SAME WAY WHEN MY BROTHER "CHUCK" PASSED AWAY. HE OVERCAME MANY PROBLEMS TO BECOME A HEART DOCTOR AND IN THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE DIED AT THE AGE OF 56. HE SURVIVED A BAD ACCIDENT THAT ENDED HIS BASEBALL CAREER AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY AND HE DECIDED TO TRY HIS LUCK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. CANCER ALSO TOOK HIS LIFE AND WE HOPE THE LORD WILL BLESS HIM. BEST REGARDS.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tom - Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eleanor & Tom Guear
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tom - Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Eleanor & Tom Guear
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tom: My deepest condolences on the loss of your brother. He is at peace now and in the good hands of the Lord.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tom,
Our family is very sorry for your loss. It sounds like Len and the rest of the family survived the worst of life early on. In the Navy we use the term "Sailor rest your oar." Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tom:
Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Are (Our) prayers go out to you and your family. We know he is in a better place.
Sonnie and Joe