Last night we were all sitting in the living room with Mom. It was Lisa, Rachelle and I, along with Rick & Linda, Randy & Christine with their kids Katie and Jacob. Sasha and Josh were there too, along with Stella [A great-grandchild.] We missed Jenny and Jeff – though Jenny had joined us the evening before via skype [and when that eventually failed, facetime.]
Many of us had had a difficult day. There are so many things that remind us of Dad and that brings up the uncertainty we have about him…all the questions one has: What happened? Why? How could that happen, or how could we have prevented it. Why us? When will we see him again?
You know, all those hard questions that there aren’t any great answers for right now.
But that doesn’t stop us from wanting answers. It doesn’t stop us from thinking about it. And it is hard feeling these feelings and watching others struggle with many of the same feelings.
Yet, even with the hard emotions, this weekend was a really incredible experience where we enjoyed the friendships and care with all these truly precious people who are part of our family. We feel incredibly fortunate, incredibly blessed.
I got to sit at dinner and hear the grand-kids talk about their camping trips with Granddaddy [Jay] and all the crazy things that happened. [And I’m sure I only know the smallest part of it.]
In closing, let me say. While it’s one of the hardest weekends I’ve had in a long time, it was one of the most rewarding too.
I wish I was closer to all the kids – Jenny, Jeff, Katie, Jacob, Sasha. Each is so wonderful to watch and brings their unique personality. [Sloop Grand-kids: Should you ever need something, someone to talk to – I’d be honored to be the person you come to. I wish the best for each of you.]
I wish I were closer to my brothers too. It’s not, at all, like we’re estranged – but life and a million other things that, at the time seem terribly compelling, always seem to come between us and really connecting. I’d like to change that too. So, I’ll try. I may not succeed, but I’ll try.
Anyway – the summary is; Along with many sad times, we also really had some enjoyable and very meaningful times too. It would be really nice to keep doing that, and even better if we could do it with Dad too.
-Greg
I just want to comment to the family .You are sooo blessed to have each other. Not many familys can say that. It is so important when things go wrong. You are in my heart and prayers.Love to each of you . Donna
God bless you all!—as you struggle and grieve and wonder “Why?” and “What happened?” and “How could it?” and “What’s next?” and connect even more deeply with the rest of the family.
You all are still in our prayers and on our hearts! And we’ll continue to come back here, looking for updates. We know God can do anything. *Why* He does what He does, and sometimes doesn’t do what we wish He would do, we don’t know…not now. But we *do* know He is good…all the time…and we can trust Him.
So beautifully said Greg! My prayers and my tears are continually with you each one. Hugs
Dear Greg, Randy, and Rick:
We have been regularly reading your postings in the search for your father Jay. Thanks for keeping us informed. We are continuing to pray and hope that Jay will be found alive and well. We knew Jay at Union College. Jay was a junior and very popular when I (Cleo) arrived as a freshman 1954-55. He rode a unicycle very well and encouraged me to learn how. I had a unicycle built the following summer, learned how to ride, and occasionally rode with Jay the following year. We both worked at Union College Press. He operated a large printing press. I worked on the linotype. Jay was president and business manager of the college newspaper, The Clock Tower, in his junior year, and president and business manager of the college yearbook, Golden Cords, in his senior year. I followed in the same positions two years later. We both majored in business administration. Jay was president of his senior class and held many other offices. Jay became a physician, I became a healthcare administrator. Both of us spent time in overseas healthcare. Many people, along with me, have been positively touched by Jay’s life. Your father IS a great example, and a remarkable man. We continue to pray that he will be found safe and well.
“We know that God will make everything that happens to us in this life come out to our eventual good, as long as we trust Him and remain true to the purpose for which He called us.” Romans 8:28, The Clear Word.
Please give our love and greetings to your mother Sharlene. Thanks for keeping us all informed through your postings.
With love, Cleo and Shirley Johnson, Burleson, Texas
Greg and Family, your approach to this nightmare is deeply appreciated. Over and over I have asked myself how I would handle such an experience in my own life. I will never know unless it happens, but I hope I would be half as stable as you all have been. Like Job who had no answers you have yet hung tight to your/our hope and faith. Your example of courage, hope, and transparency is an inspiration and comfort to those of us who almost feel we are living through this with you.
BTW, thank you for your wise counsel on how to greet the family. That was a very smart move on your part and I hope it is read and appreciated. It can be extrapolated to other situations in life as well.
God be with you and with each of us as we wait on Him for resolution. He is passionate about justice and about His own. Jay has God on his side and that will be fully realized in His time. May He and His work be magnified through this trial.
Dena
PS: Often I read Psalm 71 and hold it up to the Lord with strong prayers for Jay’s rescue.
RE: “While it’s one of the hardest weekends I’ve had in a long time, it was one of the most rewarding too.”
Your Dad makes the world a better place, and multiplies those influences within his family and community. Life’s best things. 🙂
Reverently I pray, I will not let You go unless You bless… He has brought blessings through loving people and His presence… Praying
Your family is in my prayers and I continue to hope for your dad’s safe return.
A hundred hugs; a thousand prayers. I wish I could wake you from this nightmare.
Psalms 91:14 (AMP)
[14] Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness — trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
Siguen en nuestras oraciones… que Nuestro Buen Dios los reconforte siempre¡¡¡¡¡ También estamos esperando por buenas noticias…
—
Still in our prayers … that our Good God will always comfort. We are also waiting for good news …
My heart and hopes have been with you folks through these tortuous weeks. Thank you for sharing your story. Your submission to God’s guidance has inspired me. As terrible as the uncertainty is, I know that you do not grieve as those who have no hope. Whether Dr. Jay is dead or alive, His hope is/was built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, and that hope”maketh not ashamed”, as the Good Book says. I praise God that Dr. Jay’s life has been so well-lived and full of service to others. What a blessing he has been! No matter what, someday soon, He will be HOME, whether that be in Yakima or that city where there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying or pain–where God will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Rev. 21:4. May God hold both you and him in the hollow of His hand where He has engraved your names. He will never leave you or forsake you. “When the anchor that faith has cast is dragging in the gale, I am quietly holding fast to the things that cannot fail.” Continued prayer and TLC from me to thee.
continued prayers
Dear Greg:
I am Giovanni, the husband of Linda’s sister.
I found your last posting truly exceptional. It is a vivid and real example of a deep love since it displays the real fabric that will hold a family together during tragic events . Your thoughtful words are both moving and uplifting, but most of all they gift us with a profound inspiration. Your unique and powerful kindness transpires from the written words. Going ahead in times like this is extremely difficult , but your strength, your faith and your kindness will carry you through. I do not believe that certain events, good or bad, happen for a reason. Sometimes they just happen and we find that we do not have an explanation and we want it, and we need it.
Letting God leading us through unexpected tribulation is the only method to resurface from the pain, today so pervasive, so senseless, so inconceivably not understood. It looks like you have done just that and you will surely find the peace and the serenity that today is perhaps so elusive.
May God continue to bestow upon you peace and lead you to serenity.