June 19, 2006, we learned that my dad, Dale Swan Johnson, has stage four stomach cancer. Here I record our story.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
rough details
Oops! I modified this post to include all the details, and moved it to Saturday, but I forgot about the comments! I don't want to lose them so I'm re-posting this with the comments from Tuesday.
6 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Dear All,
Seems hard to read and even harder to write, yet I'm compelled to do so.
It's hard to write about a young man who was so joyful, caring, and loving, that words cannot express; and a geek I might add... Eating worms just doesn't appeal to me, but it does put a smile on my face.
Time comes and goes but the memories stay the same.
To the joys, the tears, and the wonderful impact my Uncle has had on us all; I will miss him dearly and take comfort knowing that he is no longer in pain and in a better place.
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away"
And so someday soon, as our time on earth is short; I will rejoice in the fact that I will see my Grandma, Grandpa, Dale, and so many others soon!
Although we will not be able to attend the funeral on Saturday, please know that we will be thinking of you all. Mondovi WI has been traveling this journey with you in thoughts and prayers. Behind every great man - is a great woman.....and you are loved and we miss you also.
Angie,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to express to Dale how much we deeply appreciated him. I had tried many times to think of an appropriate card or letter and your blog came at the perfect time. It gives me peace that the Lord gave us all the opportunity to send our thoughts and prayers to him and that he was able to read them and know just how much we all love him.
When I spoke to Dale the day before his initial surgery, he wasn't sure what the outlook would be but he told me that he would be ok either way....I wondered if he was just being "tough" for me or if he truly meant it - then I see your photos and his smile continued to light up the picture.
Again, thank you for allowing us to share his last days with him.
In a small way, I want to encourage you that I can relate to the pain of losing your dad at his bedside. My aunt passed away on Aug. 1 after a long battle with Alzheimers. After my family and I spent time with her in the hospital for two weeks, she let go to go Home with the Lord the moment we weren't there. Grieving the loss of her in this way was difficult, and yet the only thing we could possibly want for her was to no longer struggle and be at peace with the Lord. We know that this was just the right time between her and the Lord to go Home into His loving arms. May you feel His comfort and light, with His warm embrace and love, and know His promise that you will see your loved one again.
May God's blessings shower upon you in these coming days. I'm deeply sorry that I won't be able to attend the funeral, but I will continue to be there in prayer.
Dear All, Dale was a wonderful spokesperson for Wood Lake Bible Camp. He has a heart for people and wants everyone to know Christ just as he did. We will miss him as much as the Family and Church Family will. Our prayers are with you and may the message of Christ continue to spread through the memorial service and beyond. Love, Greg Peer WLBC Board Member
Amy and Angela, We will be with you both in spirit on saturday...sorry we cannot be there in person... We will pray for strength and courage for you both. Angela: thank you so much for doing the blog. I know it got really difficult for you, but it was a true blessing to see someone care for her dad like you did and to share as much as you could with us. You are one heck of a woman! Love and Peace to you both, Mark and Jen Roth
6 comments:
Dear All,
Seems hard to read and even harder to write, yet I'm compelled to do so.
It's hard to write about a young man who was so joyful, caring, and loving, that words cannot express; and a geek I might add...
Eating worms just doesn't appeal to me, but it does put a smile on my face.
Time comes and goes but the memories stay the same.
To the joys, the tears, and the wonderful impact my Uncle has had on us all; I will miss him dearly and take comfort knowing that he is no longer in pain and in a better place.
"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away"
And so someday soon, as our time on earth is short; I will rejoice in the fact that I will see my Grandma, Grandpa, Dale, and so many others soon!
I love you all! And God bless...
Tim Norman
Sorry,
So many years, so many fears; So many joys, so many tears...
And those years that I have spent, on this earth so dear;
means nothing at all for Him I will be near...
And God I pray, there will be another day, that you and I will be together someday!
And in the end, there is no disgrace; For you and I will be in a better place...
Thanks again!
Tim Norman
Amy,
Although we will not be able to attend the funeral on Saturday, please know that we will be thinking of you all. Mondovi WI has been traveling this journey with you in thoughts and prayers. Behind every great man - is a great woman.....and you are loved and we miss you also.
Angie,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to express to Dale how much we deeply appreciated him. I had tried many times to think of an appropriate card or letter and your blog came at the perfect time. It gives me peace that the Lord gave us all the opportunity to send our thoughts and prayers to him and that he was able to read them and know just how much we all love him.
When I spoke to Dale the day before his initial surgery, he wasn't sure what the outlook would be but he told me that he would be ok either way....I wondered if he was just being "tough" for me or if he truly meant it - then I see your photos and his smile continued to light up the picture.
Again, thank you for allowing us to share his last days with him.
Melissa Brantner
Dear Angela and Family,
In a small way, I want to encourage you that I can relate to the pain of losing your dad at his bedside. My aunt passed away on Aug. 1 after a long battle with Alzheimers. After my family and I spent time with her in the hospital for two weeks, she let go to go Home with the Lord the moment we weren't there. Grieving the loss of her in this way was difficult, and yet the only thing we could possibly want for her was to no longer struggle and be at peace with the Lord. We know that this was just the right time between her and the Lord to go Home into His loving arms. May you feel His comfort and light, with His warm embrace and love, and know His promise that you will see your loved one again.
May God's blessings shower upon you in these coming days. I'm deeply sorry that I won't be able to attend the funeral, but I will continue to be there in prayer.
Love,
Tracy R.
Dear All,
Dale was a wonderful spokesperson for Wood Lake Bible Camp. He has a heart for people and wants everyone to know Christ just as he did. We will miss him as much as the Family and Church Family will.
Our prayers are with you and may the message of Christ continue to spread through the memorial service and beyond.
Love,
Greg Peer WLBC Board Member
Amy and Angela,
We will be with you both in spirit on saturday...sorry we cannot be there in person... We will pray for strength and courage for you both.
Angela: thank you so much for doing the blog. I know it got really difficult for you, but it was a true blessing to see someone care for her dad like you did and to share as much as you could with us. You are one heck of a woman!
Love and Peace to you both,
Mark and Jen Roth
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