LEFT BEHIND

LEFT BEHIND

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Job [MKJV] 11:13-20 If you prepare your heart and stretch out your hands toward Him; if iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness dwell in your tents; surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast and shall not fear; for you shall forget your misery, and you shall remember it as waters that pass away. And your lifetime shall be clearer than the noonday; though there be darkness, you shall be as the morning. And you shall be safe, because there is hope; yea, you shall look around you, and you shall take your rest in safety. You shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yea, many shall seek your favor. But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no escape, and their hope shall be like the giving up of the spirit.

  Eighty plus two months and 3 days and still threading my way thru the corridors of this life with considerate time, effort, and a bit of finance invested in maintenance. And so it is with all persons, pets, plants, and paraphernalia.

  A few days ago a man I greatly respected died after 73 years, 2 months, and 6 days of travel. Though we were often in contact in Baltimore, we conversed no more than a dozen times since arriving in Omaha in 1984, the last occasion being when he and his dear wife Sally participated in dear Ann’s Celebration of Life Saturday, November 12, 2011.

  I shall miss Richard T. “Dick” Serp greatly. Just thinking about the absence of his wise edification by example I already do for truly he contributed to my and the life of others that were receptive.

  For a period of years I worked under Mr. Serp, then for 7+ years he was in the district I represented as an elected union steward. (In Baltimore we never on the job called any manager by their first name.) He was truthful even when costly to him. He never once laid on hokey “We are family.” Or “We’re in this together!” but the atmosphere of his metal working shop was just that. Of the many managers I was in contact with during 43 years of company employment he was one of only two supervisors I ever heard voice “I was wrong.” “I apologize for the stress I caused you.” The only harsh noise in his area was produced by employee, machine, and material. Dick certainly had the hide of a rhinoceros and the heart of a dove; truly a man of Blue Denim and Lace.

  He is not the only one to die since dear Ann’s passing from this life. Just among those that participated in her Celebration of Life many have deceased. Then there’s family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. The notices arrive on a regular basis, quite often weekly more than one.

  Saddening situation though life may be, I take my pills, keep medical appointments, dine reasonably healthy, feed Ann’s single surviving Parakeet, water the houseplants I haven’t yet killed, see about fixing the now leaking valve of the downstairs toilet and ……

EBB4