My brother-in-law Steve Hagenah (married to my sister Becky) has been in law enforcement for over 40 years. I've always admired the sacrifices he made to keep watch over the community he was assigned to. He said something once that stuck hard - "When you keep running into coincidences it probably means you're on the right path.” From his perspective he was referring to criminal events. Regardless of that it stuck with me and I apply it to life events.
In these recent days 'coincidence' has been waiting to greet us around every corner. Depending on your point of view you might prefer to call these events good luck, good karma, a miracle, a God moment or divine intervention.
When Rick and I left Akron on March 26 it hadn't crossed my mind that we would not return to Pennsylvania together. After all we had round-trip tickets and everyone knows those are non-refundable. Of course we would make the return trip. We purchased a few rings of Schmeckfest sausage and a poppy seed roll. On Thursday April 8 we would prepare a Schmeckfest feast for our small group. A nice bottle of wine is the only non-authentic item we would add to meal. Then we would celebrate Good Friday at Pilgrims, prepare our taxes (April 15 is nearing), and Rick would get back to his hit list of items to sell on Ebay and Craigslist. I would return to work at MDS. That's how things would go.
Today we know that's not how it played out. On Wednesday morning, Charles, Adam and I sat, watching and waiting, observing Rick's breath - in and out. Slow, oh so slow and then quick. He was relaxed and appeared at peace. On Thursday morning, after the nurses freshened his bedding and shifted his position, he said in a clear and natural voice, "Thank you." It is was the last thing I heard from him. It will remain a great memory.
At 2:30 am Friday, a change in his breathing woke me. It came in short and went out long. I called the nurse and she assured me that calling Adam and Charles would be the right thing to do. The three of us spent the rest of the night together at the hospital, falling in an out of sleep and observing his breath. By morning it seemed normal again so Adam went to see how his family was doing. Charles and I stayed at the hospital. Shortly before 9:00 am Charles noticed that his breathing had quickened. The doctor could not feel a pulse and his BP was undetectable. Around 9 he took his last breath. His life with cancer was done. He was in the healing arms of Jesus.
More than 300 people read the End of the Line post. Just knowing you are out there interested in this journey has offered us strength to stay the path. Thank you.
- Barb Schrag
When Rick and I left Akron on March 26 it hadn't crossed my mind that we would not return to Pennsylvania together. After all we had round-trip tickets and everyone knows those are non-refundable. Of course we would make the return trip. We purchased a few rings of Schmeckfest sausage and a poppy seed roll. On Thursday April 8 we would prepare a Schmeckfest feast for our small group. A nice bottle of wine is the only non-authentic item we would add to meal. Then we would celebrate Good Friday at Pilgrims, prepare our taxes (April 15 is nearing), and Rick would get back to his hit list of items to sell on Ebay and Craigslist. I would return to work at MDS. That's how things would go.
Today we know that's not how it played out. On Wednesday morning, Charles, Adam and I sat, watching and waiting, observing Rick's breath - in and out. Slow, oh so slow and then quick. He was relaxed and appeared at peace. On Thursday morning, after the nurses freshened his bedding and shifted his position, he said in a clear and natural voice, "Thank you." It is was the last thing I heard from him. It will remain a great memory.
At 2:30 am Friday, a change in his breathing woke me. It came in short and went out long. I called the nurse and she assured me that calling Adam and Charles would be the right thing to do. The three of us spent the rest of the night together at the hospital, falling in an out of sleep and observing his breath. By morning it seemed normal again so Adam went to see how his family was doing. Charles and I stayed at the hospital. Shortly before 9:00 am Charles noticed that his breathing had quickened. The doctor could not feel a pulse and his BP was undetectable. Around 9 he took his last breath. His life with cancer was done. He was in the healing arms of Jesus.
More than 300 people read the End of the Line post. Just knowing you are out there interested in this journey has offered us strength to stay the path. Thank you.
- Barb Schrag
May the Devine Peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
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