LIFE IS SHORT

This is my father-in-law. He died on February 12, 1986, at the age of sixty-seven, from complications of surgery. The internal bleeding and the resulting shock and kidney failure saw him flown from our local hospital to a more sophisticated facility in Boise. He lay in intensive care for days. Visitation was very restricted, so family and friends spent a good deal of time in the intensive care lounge. During those days, snow was falling heavily, and eyes were glued to the television sets as we watched the space shuttle Challenger blow up. Conversations were awkward, holding the strain of the situations all around us. Minutes ticked by ever so slowly. Hope for "Pake's" recovery was restored one minute, and dashed the next. This intensity defined Pake's life and all our lives from January 20th to the morning of February 12, when Pake passed away.

I have sweet memories of my father-in-law. He was a simple man who loved simple things. He often came to our house to help Harry with building projects on the dairy, making certain to include morning and afternoon coffee-time into his schedule. He never seemed to be in a hurry. I sensed that he loved being here. Pake loved to work in the yard and he loved to craft trinkets from wood in the little shop at his house. Bowling, classical music, "Hogan's Heroes", and a mild cigar (an odd combo, no?) thrilled him.

This day holds that memory. But this week holds the memory of two other young women in our church who lost their battles with cancer.

Dianne Bolt- died of cancer at the age of 52.
Janice Evans- died of cancer at the age of 57

Life is short. Life is precious.