Robert Charles Wrasse died on the evening of December 3, 2010 . He died just short of his 65th birthday, which is today, December 15th.
I truly never thought I’d be writing these words, and indeed it has taken me some time to get enough courage to write. But, there is something in me that can not let this all just drift off into oblivion. A blog story of a big ugly cancer fight with no written end. Everyone would understand, but I just can’t do it.
Robert’s physical decline was gradual and relentless until the last week when he himself requested of his warrior wife that Hospice be contacted. Then, the pain and finally his oblivion to the pain increased. Many were praying during his last day and hours. His daughters and son-in-law were awesome as they contended beyond the end.
I am thinking an honored warrior has gone down in an epic battle. I can see the scene like in the Lord of the Rings trilogy he loved so much. Those stories never end with the death of a hero in the midst of a battle. There is always a legacy that turns a seeming defeat into a victory. I am thinking of Moses on the borders of the Promised Land.
I am thinking the legacy has something to do with the prayer warriors Robert’s daughters have become. The prayer warrior I have become, desperation changing me from a mostly lukewarm follower to an ardent seeker after the one true God. The legacy of the Big Ugly army that has taken on this dreadful disease will go beyond what we are seeing right now
I am thinking that this battle is not over.
There are questions to be answered for sure. Later. There is more to this fight for sure. Later. Now is the time to heal. My surroundings are numbing and quiet as God’s comfort and healing surround me. This will take time. However, even so…..
Tonight, Sarah, Justin and little Robert, Bethany
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSXdmf4jhaY "PB" courtesy of Rob Alway
I cannot find words to say how much your 'open book' sharing through this blog has meant to me over the past six months. I have prayed daily for Robert and you. Sometimes I look up your blog post and read it over and over, gaining strength and new perspective or read it aloud to my husband or my teenager as we struggle to be healed. We needed you to write this down. Thank you Margaret, for being a warrior too!
ReplyDeleteWith deep sympathy, -Kari (Dillehay) Bergman
I've appreciated your courage to keep writing, Margaret. Thank you for that. It can't have been easy.
ReplyDeleteEvery day on my way home from work, walking between the garage and the house in the cold dusk, I look at your house and think of you all. The Christmas candles in your windows here went on sometime around the last week of Robert's life. Then, when Robert left, the one in the kitchen went out. That's exactly how it was.
We miss you, and we miss Robert too.
--John