Prayer request

[Ysabel Kid]

Fellas -

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. The period between Labor Day and Thanksgiving is always very busy for me for work, and I've been on the road a bunch. Work just seems more hectic, and I've just been swamped. Not complaining though; I'm happy to have a job.

Did take the week off to enjoy the holiday and get a bunch of work done at home. I'm beat - glad I'm going back to work tomorrow to rest up!

I did get a call Friday morning on my work line. I didn't recognize the number, though it was local, and wondered who could be calling me as all of my customers were off that day. Turned out that it was a business acquaintance, or more acurately, the son of a friend of mine that I know from our being on the board of a couple chemical-industry groups here in town. His son called to let me know that his father had passed away that morning. He was 85, and had battled both cancer and heart disease. He died peacefully in his sleep, after having spent one last Thanksgiving with his family. A WWII veteran, he was just a great guy to be around. Always had a kind word for everyone. I am going to miss him.

If you get a moment, please say a prayer for my friend, Jim McKernan, and his family. Jim is now with our Lord in Heaven, joining his wife you preceded him by a few years. I know he is happy.

Thanks,

[Griff]

Prayers up for your friend and his family.

[.45colt]

Prayers Sent.

[olyinaz]

He died peacefully in his sleep

I will pray for his family and also that we might all be blessed so.

Oly

[gamekeeper]

Prayers sent.

[iceman]

Done.

[Borregos]

Done

[BenT]

Sent

[madman4570]

Done!

[Pitchy]

Yep, sent.

[awp101]

Done for all my friend...

[Blaine]

Thanks for asking.

[pwl44m]

Prayers said.

[rjohns94]

prayers up

[20cows]

Done.

[Ysabel Kid]

I went to the funeral this morning, and it was beautiful. Jim's wife Martha preceded him in 2004, but all five of his children, and all 15 of his grandchlidren, along with his living siblings, were at the service - along with a packed house. Jim had made such a positive impression on everyone he met.

He’d been going downhill the last few weeks, and told his friends and family he just wanted to have one last Thanksgiving with them. The family all came in to one of his son's (the one I received the call from) house for Thanksgiving. That morning Jim woke feeling very bad, and later that morning they called his priest to come in to give him the last rites. Instead of finding Jim in bed, he was in an easy chair, wearing his “Sunday best”, surrounded by his grandchildren. The priest asked if he’d like a full Mass, and actually went back to church to pick up the Eucharist, then returned and said Mass at his son's home. He left, and the family later had their Thanksgiving meal, with Jim giving the blessing - which the family recorded. It is almost as if he knew this was his last day, and that when he went to bed, he’d not wake up again, here anyway. That is exactly what happened.

It was difficult to watch part of the ceremony, as all 15 grandchildren participated in some way, including the youngest granddaughter who appeared to be only about 7. She read a prayer. They had all written notes to their grandfather that they put in his coffin. It was gut-wrenching. The eulogy given by his oldest son was wonderful, and I don’t think there was a dry eye left in the church.

Makes you put it all in perspective.

Thanks for your prayers fellas.

[Hobie]

Thanks for sharing that Jay. Of course we said prayers for this fine family.

[1894c]

much blessings...

[flashpan]

Prayers sent.....

[Nath]

Just lovely Jay, thanks for sharing, sounds like a great family.

Blessings.

Nath.