To our dear friends,
My beloved Ralph passed away this morning about 1:30 am. He was here at home, with me, Shannon and Nathan at his side. It was a very grace-filled death. He didn't suffer. In fact the past two days, God shielded him from all pain. It was truly miraculous.
I am so very proud of Ralph. He's been bedridden for the past two months. He even got to the point that he could barely use his arms and hands, but despite all the suffering -- esp. from the one large tumor in his neck/spine -- and despite the never ending challenges and readjustments, he never felt sorry for himself and never complained. He kept his sense of humor, his eyes on God, and his loving tenderness and care for his family and friends to the last. I only wish we had made it to Monday, our 25th wedding anniversary. But he died a year to the day that he had that pulmonary embolism that almost killed him. So God granted us another year -- time for Nathan to come home from the war, Shannon to come home from her job in Europe, to get me though my surgery and the start of my chemo, and so much more. It's been an awesome year, and I have nothing but gratitude for the time we did have.
Ralph's service is this coming Wed, July 5, at 11am, with a reception (luncheon) following at 12:15. There will also be a rosary for Ralph at 10:30, for anybody who would like to participate.
It's at
St. Matthew's Catholic Church
475 SE Third Avenue (that's 3rd and Oak)
Hillsboro, OR
I'll miss him like crazy. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Loving regards,
Dawn