Yesterday Terry and I went to her mother’s house which is now vacant. We had to move some things out, do some cleaning and weeding and try to make the house more saleable. I couldn’t help but think of Larry Alvey while I was doing it. Larry made sure that everything that could be done for his family was done before he left them. He wanted to make sure everything was in order. The last thing that was weighing on Larry’s mind was cleaning up a house that he and his wife Marilee had to dispose of. It bothered him that he was no longer able to do that. His friends organized a group that went and worked on the house for several days and on Tuesday the work was completed. And then Larry passed.
Larry was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in May of 2009. His battle was similar to mine, including SIR Spheres treatment. I couldn’t help but wonder again today why am I still here. I’m eight months beyond Larry and yesterday I was able to do physical work. I had to take many breaks, not being able to go more than about 20 minutes without resting. But that’s not bad considering.
But why me? Larry was one of the finest men I ever “knew”. He was a captain for American Airlines, flying 777s. We was doing a job he loved. He raised good Christian children and put them all through college. He took care of his wife, making sure she will be ok financially. He not only practiced his religion, he lived it and shared it wherever he went. His writings in the blog he maintained with Marilee taught me something very important about God. I haven’t discussed it specifically with anyone yet because I don’t fully understand it. I had hoped to discuss it with him one day and learn more.
So why me? Larry deserves to be here more than I do. On the other hand, Larry deserves Heaven more than I.
Larry fought his battle with strength, dignity, love and faith right to the end. Larry or Marilee once commented that they were following me on this cancer journey. That was wrong. Larry was leading the whole time. I know he’ll continue leading me by his memory and his example. I think I may even hear from him now and then.
Carry on Captain.
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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Larry Alvey
Yesterday Terry and I went to her mother’s house which is now vacant. We had to move some things out, do some cleaning and weeding and try to make the house more saleable. I couldn’t help but think of Larry Alvey while I was doing it. Larry made sure that everything that could be done for his family was done before he left them. He wanted to make sure everything was in order. The last thing that was weighing on Larry’s mind was cleaning up a house that he and his wife Marilee had to dispose of. It bothered him that he was no longer able to do that. His friends organized a group that went and worked on the house for several days and on Tuesday the work was completed. And then Larry passed.
Larry was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in May of 2009. His battle was similar to mine, including SIR Spheres treatment. I couldn’t help but wonder again today why am I still here. I’m eight months beyond Larry and yesterday I was able to do physical work. I had to take many breaks, not being able to go more than about 20 minutes without resting. But that’s not bad considering.
But why me? Larry was one of the finest men I ever “knew”. He was a captain for American Airlines, flying 777s. We was doing a job he loved. He raised good Christian children and put them all through college. He took care of his wife, making sure she will be ok financially. He not only practiced his religion, he lived it and shared it wherever he went. His writings in the blog he maintained with Marilee taught me something very important about God. I haven’t discussed it specifically with anyone yet because I don’t fully understand it. I had hoped to discuss it with him one day and learn more.
So why me? Larry deserves to be here more than I do. On the other hand, Larry deserves Heaven more than I.
Larry fought his battle with strength, dignity, love and faith right to the end. Larry or Marilee once commented that they were following me on this cancer journey. That was wrong. Larry was leading the whole time. I know he’ll continue leading me by his memory and his example. I think I may even hear from him now and then.
Carry on Captain.
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