We arrived home about 2 pm Saturday, unpacked the car, cleaned up and went to Timber Ridge in Morton and spent about an hour with Jerry's brother. Tommy was mostly unresponsive, but resting comfortably.
This morning, Jason and Janice came down from Downer's Grove and went with Jerry to Morton while I stayed home with boys. When they got there, the nurse told Jerry that Tommy's condition was deteriorating and he would probably die today. Jason and Janice stayed there for awhile, then came home, picked up the boys and went on home. I went to Morton and joined Jerry. Tommy passed away peacefully at 4:49 pm. Jerry's dad died 30 years ago on January 25.
We are so thankful that we came home and were able to have the sad but sweet time of watching him pass on to be with Jesus. And we know his parents and sister were there to welcome him home. I keep thinking of the song lyrics "the blind shall see, the dumb shall speak, and the lame shall leap for joy." Praise the Lord that he now has a new body and is jumping for joy on the golden streets of heaven.
We want to acknowledge the love and care he has been given at Apostolic Christian Timber Ridge. Various young girls and men would come into the room, go up to Tommy and rub his head, arms, etc., talk gently to him, some bowed their heads for a minute or so, one little girl even knelt by his bed for several minutes. They would tell us how they had taken care of him and some shared a story of him. Jerry, the Hospice nurse and I would get all teary-eyed just watching them. It was amazing.
Thanks for all your love and prayers. Jerry and Ada
5 comments:
Thank you for letting us know. I have tears running down my cheeks as I picture Tommy running through heaven in his new body, as you described. The mystery of life and death . . . I guess too deep to ponder on this blog, but I will say - I believe that although we don't understand why God allowed Tommy to be in that condition, He can use both his life and death redemptively, for His glory, and I will pray toward that end.
It gives me so much hope that he can use everything redemptively when we offer the situation up to Him.
We will be praying for you. Love to all of you.
Thank you for the account of the day. The timing of it all is no less than miraculous with you arriving back in Illinois, the 30th
anniversary of Tommy's father's death, etc. But, God's timing is always perfect, regardless. Yes, the A.C. Home for the Handicapped is truly an amazing place with true saints working there with genuine love and concern for God's special people. Our prayers will continue for you and your whole family in the days ahead.
Cleve & Kathleen
Just think of Tommy and his mom - the mind pictures are thrilling. Tommy had a unique "race to run" and his crown is especially sweet. Our love to all of you.
Our prayers are answered as we were praying that he would be kept comfortable during the dying process. That is something that he died on Jan. 25, same as his Dad. We know that Jerry's Mother would be happy that you were with him at that time. He was well taken care of at Timber Ridge and Jerry certainly had a hand in that. We will pray for you in the days ahead. Let us know if we can be of help in any way.
Love, Keith and Alice
Praying for ya'll during this time. Glad you were able to be home with him at his homegoing.
Post a Comment