Eulogy I wrote for the funeral of my husband's younger brother.
I've known _____ (my husband's brother) for over 40 years, but it was the last one and one half years of his life that impacted me the most. For it was during the difficult times of illness that I truly came to understand, appreciate, and to love him.
____ was devoted. He loved his family, and his family was the most important earthly thing in his life. Because of his love of his family, he was determined. For three and one half years he faithfully did everything he could to beat his leukemia. At first it appeared that the treatment was working. But in September 2011 it became clear that his body was no longer responding to the treatment. The doctor's in Indy only gave him several months to live. But God's plan for his life was not yet completed For the next sixteen months, _____ went in for blood transfusions every two weeks and new medications were started. Then early last summer, he developed an extremely rare complication to the leukemia for which there was no medical answer. But still he was determined and hopeful, even though his body was getting weaker. A few weeks before Christmas, as we sat together waiting for the doctor to come into the room, ______ said, "It will be good to go home." Then he said, "I am looking forward to seeing Grandpa B, and as we sat there he told me stories of his Grandpa and how much he loved him. He was beginning to accept the reality of his situation.
Christmas came, and _____ was excited to be able to spend time with his wife's entire family and then later with his own extended family. He knew... he knew this would most likely be the last time everyone would be together on this earth and it was so important to him to see everyone again. _____ wanted to live, but he was not fearful of dying. He knew where he was going. He understood that surrendering to God's will for his life did not mean he was giving up. It meant he trusted God's plan for the "number of his days." His body was failing him, but his spirit was strong. Just three days before he died, he told the Hospice social worker that he had hoped he would have more time— but he was ready to go. The day before he passed, I was singing some old hymns and praise songs to him, and even though he was no longer capable of responding or speaking, he would occasionally move his lips as if to try and sing along. I had just finished singing, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... there's just something about that name" when he clearly spoke and said three different times,"I want to see him; I want to see him; I want to see him."
_____ had struggles in this life. He wasn't "first" in many things. But it turns out he was first in the only thing that really matters. He is the first to see Jesus. Psalm 116:15 says, "The death of one that belongs to the Lord is precious in his sight." While we grieve our loss, we celebrate with joy his gain. _____.... your home. You lived well. You loved well. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Next Entry: Romans 4:1–25
I've known _____ (my husband's brother) for over 40 years, but it was the last one and one half years of his life that impacted me the most. For it was during the difficult times of illness that I truly came to understand, appreciate, and to love him.
____ was devoted. He loved his family, and his family was the most important earthly thing in his life. Because of his love of his family, he was determined. For three and one half years he faithfully did everything he could to beat his leukemia. At first it appeared that the treatment was working. But in September 2011 it became clear that his body was no longer responding to the treatment. The doctor's in Indy only gave him several months to live. But God's plan for his life was not yet completed For the next sixteen months, _____ went in for blood transfusions every two weeks and new medications were started. Then early last summer, he developed an extremely rare complication to the leukemia for which there was no medical answer. But still he was determined and hopeful, even though his body was getting weaker. A few weeks before Christmas, as we sat together waiting for the doctor to come into the room, ______ said, "It will be good to go home." Then he said, "I am looking forward to seeing Grandpa B, and as we sat there he told me stories of his Grandpa and how much he loved him. He was beginning to accept the reality of his situation.
Christmas came, and _____ was excited to be able to spend time with his wife's entire family and then later with his own extended family. He knew... he knew this would most likely be the last time everyone would be together on this earth and it was so important to him to see everyone again. _____ wanted to live, but he was not fearful of dying. He knew where he was going. He understood that surrendering to God's will for his life did not mean he was giving up. It meant he trusted God's plan for the "number of his days." His body was failing him, but his spirit was strong. Just three days before he died, he told the Hospice social worker that he had hoped he would have more time— but he was ready to go. The day before he passed, I was singing some old hymns and praise songs to him, and even though he was no longer capable of responding or speaking, he would occasionally move his lips as if to try and sing along. I had just finished singing, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus... there's just something about that name" when he clearly spoke and said three different times,"I want to see him; I want to see him; I want to see him."
_____ had struggles in this life. He wasn't "first" in many things. But it turns out he was first in the only thing that really matters. He is the first to see Jesus. Psalm 116:15 says, "The death of one that belongs to the Lord is precious in his sight." While we grieve our loss, we celebrate with joy his gain. _____.... your home. You lived well. You loved well. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Next Entry: Romans 4:1–25
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