A whirlwind trip
Al and I had to make a quick, last-minute decision a few days ago when we were notified that our friend, Jim, was having a health crisis and was not expected to live much longer. We were out in Michigan, he was in California. What should we do? Jim had no family and only a few friends who were still living near by.
When Al began teaching high school in Porterville, he and Jim became friends. They had a lot in common. Not only did they teach together, they were both born and raised in Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan and were avid U of M sports fans. Whenever Michigan played in the Rose Bowl, Al and Jim went to Pasadena to root for their team.
In 1980 when Al was going through a marital separation, Jim opened up his house for Al. Over the years we celebrated many birthdays and holidays with him since he had no family.
After major back surgery several years ago, Al suggested that he move into a local retirement home so that he could get assistance if needed. Moving him into the apartment and cleaning out his house was a major project. Later, when it was time to give up driving, he asked Al to sell his car.
When we decided to relocate to Michigan last January to be closer to our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, we asked him if he wanted to come with us. He declined the offer, but was sad that we were going even though he understood the reasons behind that decision.
Our plan was to return to California to reconnect with family and friends in about two years. We weren’t even sure that Jim would still be alive then; so saying good-bye was difficult. Since he was hard of hearing, communication by mail was the only avenue we had of staying in touch. Needless to say, we soon lost contact and many of our letters were never answered.
Finally, we received a card from him asking us to contact his caregiver so that she could inform us of a health crisis he was having. Health crisis? It was shocking to find out that he was very ill, in a convalescent home and having therapy daily so that he could get stronger before surgery. Surgery?
The caregiver helped fill in the missing details and even made it possible to talk with him on the phone. A few weeks passed before we heard any other news. Then she called to let us know that Jim was back in the hospital with complications and was declining quickly. He was going to be moved back to his room under hospice care.
Al felt strongly that we needed to be with him and was able to book tickets, reserve a rental car and make hotel reservations that very evening of the call. By the following afternoon, we were packed and on our way to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
It felt strange when we drove into Porterhouse, like we were home. So many dear friends and a church family here...al felt like he had just awakened from a very long dream.
Thankfully Jim was able to recognize Al’s voice and seemed to be glad that we were there, even though he could no longer speak. In five days, he was gone, his final arrangements had been made and we were on our way home, slightly frazzled, but very grateful for that opportunity to spend those last moments with our friend.
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” — Matthew 22:34-40 NIV