Loss of a Musketeer

It was October 1973, I became a Christian thanks to the efforts of a lady in my uncle's church.  Swedish Rocket Scientist did the same due to a random witness whom crossed his path in college.  His younger brother also separately had become a Christian through a radio ministry.  We were all baptized together.  Add Dutchman and there was now a foursome of trouble makers.  :)  Often accompanied by Dutchman and our cousins.  We have had quite a 39 year run!

Through the years we all stayed in touch.  We all supported one another in all ways.  We are a band of brothers.  Yes, you can pick your family.

From Rear: SRS, Sister, Ed.

Monday evening, I got the call we have all dreaded, the death of one of us.

It was Ed, the little brother of SRS.  SRS and his sister were in Olympia at a hospital where their lone relative was following another stroke.  SRS had just moved her there last week from the homeland so that she would be closer to him and his siblings.  So the police left a message on the sister's phone.

Of course, since that was all there was in the message, we had no idea what happened.  SRS was finally able to meet with the coroner Tuesday and it turned out he died of a heart attack while visiting a friend.  It is good he died with friends, but he may well have not even have known it.  Heart attacks are no my idea of a great way to go.....  But, his family has a long history of them, their father having his first at 53 and then the final one at 56.  Ed was 59.

Last Tuesday, Dutchman and Swede had met with me and discussed what to do about Ed.  He has been chronically under employed his entire life and with retirement rapidly approaching - well, what is he to do?  Thursday, SRS met with him to discuss this.  Nothing was settled and SRS left him with things to think about.  That was the last any of us heard from him.

If you would be in prayer for strength for what is left of their family through this hard time, it would be appreciated.  And pray for consciousness for Ellie, the aunt, with a chance to witness yet again to her and for her to choose wisely.