Before starting this post, I looked back at my blog. I haven't posted a new message for four and a half years. Time has marched on. Our farm and family have changed. Maybe that update post is coming, but in the age of social media, most of my readers are only as behind as my last status, so I may spare you that much.
Today my heart is heavy and it inspired me to share a new post. In our local ag community, we've recently lost two very notable members. One was 86 and lived an amazing life. The other was 48 and lived an amazing life. Hmmm one was almost twice as old as the other but yet the same could be said about each. Both were great examples of hard work, family, love of life and too many friends to count.
Saturday morning, Luther got his wish. He had many health issue in recent years, and this last one was his stopping point. He knew he had enjoyed and lived an abundant life. He was ready to leave this world and check out the next one. As Jed said at church, during his sermon, "To be 86, get a diagnosis on Monday, pass in your sleep at home 'on the hill' five days later. Who of us wouldn't sign up for that?"
As our hearts hurt for our dear friends, another was to go on to the next life about a day later.
Brian, although half Luther's age had also suffered with many health issues over the last few years. I'm guessing he was less ready than Luther, but certainly lived and enjoyed an abundant life as well.
I can't think of either of them and not smile. I may not have as many stories as some, but I have a few. They are cherished ones.
When I was expecting Cody, in the summer of 1994, I was still working at the furniture store in downtown Centralia. As was the case in that time, if Saturday afternoon was slow, chances are, we would see Luther. He would come down, lounge on one of our sofas in the showroom and hold court, with all of us sitting around and enjoyed some of his stories. I am not sure I recall any specific story by detail. But I can tell you the theme of all of them, hard work and the crazy things that happened along the way. They were always entertaining.
Luther always had something to say. I can only think of one time when I think he was speechless. When he showed up one Saturday afternoon, late in July, John (my boss) decided to pull a trick on him. Someone saw him coming and he told me to sit on the sofa and put my feet up. When Luther came in, he said, "Glad you're here, we need help, Kathy's going to have the baby!" Doubting I kept a straight face, but it didn't matter. Luther's reaction was classic, when he tried to speak, it was jarbled up Lutherspeak that cracked us all up. We had to admit that we were teasing him." He laughed and said we definitely got him.
My Brian stories would either center around when I first knew him, 30 years ago, or anything to do with farming, which technically was any story I have. When we were first married, DH's sisters still showed cattle. At that time the Flatt kids did as well. I can remember many good times at local and state fair and most generally Brian was in the middle of the mischief and fun. Part of Brian's charm, was something that most people find 'charming' in others. It absolutely never mattered where you were, what was going on at the time, Brian never ever hesitated to take time and say hello, check in and see how things were going with you and yours. You got the same guy no matter where our paths crossed. One of the most genuine people I've ever met. We should all aspire to be more like him.
In the Ag community, we are kinda the minority. Not everyone gets us, so we stick together. Luther was a cornerstone of our local ag community and Brian one of its most active moving parts of it.
We were blessed to live in their worlds, and our world won't be the same without them. Sincerest condolences to their families in this time of grieving. I am glad that my memories of them make me smile.
From Tulip~
KH
