Romy

Stacy (Pete's girlfriend) lost her daddy last night. After 5 short months, he succumbed to the cancer that had mercilessly taken over his body with a ferocity no one saw coming.
It sucks. Cancer really, really sucks.

Today would have been Neeny's 90th birthday. Stacy's dad, Romy, reminded me of Neeny. Optimistic, sharp as a whip, interested and knowledgeable about everything, and as warm as "home" from the first time you meet. He was the spiritual leader of their family, and deeply grounded in faith. And oh, so funny!! We got into educational philosophy last time I saw him, and I nearly missed my plane because he got on a roll and it was like watching a show. Fabulous conversationalist & so stinkin' engaging!

My brother got to be part of Romy's "send off," last night, too. It was similar to Neeny's. Singing hymns and praises in the middle of the clinical coolness of the hospital...beauty in spite of death. Beauty because of death? I ache for Pete. And Stacy. And her brother and mother and all those fabulous Filipinos who made us feel so at home every time we were with them, and who loved this man.

When we were in New York last month, Stacy asked me about my faith. It's a struggle to watch someone you love decline and be unable to help. I didn't know how to explain to her then that part of my faith comes from doing just that--several times. Having to trust in storms, because there simply wasn't another choice. God is (and has been) faithful in all circumstances--even when my own strength is limited to waking up, breathing in and out, and putting one foot in front of the other.

I'm praying that their faith may be strengthened because of God's faithfulness, even in the low times. That they would look back and see how He sustained them. Romy understood. He lived his whole life so that his loved ones would see how to follow in his example once he was gone. It was a pleasure and an honor knowing him.

Revelation 21:4