RIP Jerry

For many months we have been praying for Jerry who was battling cancer. Today Jerry was healed - but not as we had hoped. From Fred:

This is going to be difficult. Jerry has died. I spoke with him less than one month ago, and while not doing great he was "holding his own". His esophageal cancer had been whipped. But, cancer soon returned to his lung. He took chemo, radiation, extra drugs to build his white count and nothing seemed to eradicate the cancer. Slowly, it eroded his health.

Fred also included a wee window into who Jerry was

Jerry was a car builder. He built them from the ground up and did it successfully. Not once, but many, many times. Bugs, buses, 41 sedans, 63 ford trucks, 29 T-Ford trucks, a Buick and a Lincoln.

His pride and joy, a 41 Ford Coupe was set aside. For some silly reason, I thought that as long as that car was not finished, God would leave him alone. I guess God's patience lasts only so long. The Coupe will now never be finished.

Let us pray:

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Jerry, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
And light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed
though the mercies of God rest in peace.

Personal reflection on Mr. Kennedy's funeral

There are many things I would like to say about Ted Kennedy and his funeral mass (I thought the prayers of the people were perfect and truly a last statement from Ted).

After witnessing the unrehearsed and "I wish I were someplace else" attitude of the RC priests, it must be admitted that TEC knows how to do things right.

Ted's life of service to America needed to be recognized with dignity and splendor that was sorely missing this morning.

This is my favourite statement from the late, great, Senator from Massachusetts:

"Even our most profound losses are survivable."
Ted Kennedy

Perhaps President Obama summed it all up best:

Ted Kennedy has gone home now, guided by his faith and by the light of those he has loved and lost. At last he is with them once more, leaving those of us who grieve his passing with the memories he gave, the good he did, the dream he kept alive, and a single, enduring image — the image of a man on a boat; white mane tousled; smiling broadly as he sails into the wind, ready for what storms may come, carrying on toward some new and wondrous place just beyond the horizon. May God Bless Ted Kennedy, and may he rest in eternal peace.

Now look at the previous post and the cartoon.

Curtain falls on Camelot

Each evening, from December to December,
Before you drift to sleep upon your cot,
Think back on all the tales that you remember
Of Camelot.
Ask ev'ry person if he's heard the story,
And tell it strong and clear if he has not,
That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory
Called Camelot.

Yes, Camelot, my boy!
Where once it never rained till after sundown,
By eight a.m. the morning fog had flown...
Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
As Camelot.

Farewell, Teddy - ya done good, lad; real good

Edward Moore Kennedy

22 February 1932 – 25 August 2009

Thank you Ted, you ran the race valiantly.

Thank you God for giving us Ted to know
on this our earthly pilgrimage.

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O Lord,
And Light Perpetual Shine Upon Him.