I am devastated this morning.  A VERY sweet, loving, and caring man died last night.

In our company the president has a woman, Stephanie, who basically runs the whole company.  She is his right AND left hand.  If we need anything done, she is the one to go to.  She is a darling that is loved by everyone.  She and her husband are young (mid thirties) and have two darling children, 14 months and 3 years old.

Randy, her husband, had a dual lung transplant about 8 years ago.  While on the operating table, he had a major stroke.  He recovered quite well, considering how bad he was.  But the last six months have been rough for him/them.  He was fighting a bacterial infection in his lungs.  He was about 6 feet tall, and last week, weighed only 87 pounds.  Stephanie had to take him to the hospital on Sunday.  He went downhill all week, and last night finally passed away.

I am so upset.  Yes, we all expected it, but why did it have to happen to such a sweet loving couple?  So young.

Fortunately, he told his wife, yesterday, that he was glad he was saved, and that he had such a close relationship with God.  He was at peace, and was ready for whatever God had planned for him.  Stephanie tried her best not to cry in front of him, but she couldn’t stop.  She said, for the first time, she cried, and he did not join her.  He just held her, and told her how much he loved her.

I guess he saw the writing on the wall, too, and had accepted it.

Well, I guess he can stop fighting and be in peace and harmony.  Now those of us that are still here have to accept it.  When Stephanie called me, I could not believe she was holding up so well.  She DID break down, during part of our conversation, but she is doing amazingly well.

Sorry for blathering on about this, but it has really put me in a down mode.  I didn’t know him REAL well, but I know her VERY well, and am very close to her.  I just don’t know how to console her.

Please pray for her and her children … They will do fine, I am sure, but with her strong faith in God, I am sure she would be happy to know that so many are on her side.

Chuck

Count me in Chuck.  Stephanie and her children are in my prayers.  I'm sure it is a comfort to her that you are in her corner.  There isn't really anything else you can do but to keep doing what you are doing.  You're a good guy Chuck.

-Dennis-

Chuck, just be there for her. She'll need you in the days and weeks to come. Just be the friend you are.

Prayers coming your way.

Hugs BD

I don't know how I'd cope, my heart goes out to her. That's utterly tragic.

I'm so sorry, Chuck, I wish there was something I could do or say instead of just feeling helpless.  I'm glad she has good friends around her

Helen

Lisa has a few freinds with Cystic Fibrosis and have had lung transplants. They know life isn't for ever but appreciate what extra time they have. The 8 years have given Randy time that without the transplant he wouldn't have. Time for the children to get to know their Daddy,eight more wonderful years of memories, opportunities for doctors to learn more. He is at peace now.

My prayers go out to the family. Thanks for being such a good friend for her.

Charlotte

:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Oh Chuck.....how tragic.  I'm so very sorry. :'(

Just be there for her.....that's really all you can do for now.  You love her and I'm sure she knows that.

Prayers for Randy, Stephanie, the children, you Chuck, and all who knew and loved him.

Love,
Jackie

I'm glad you're there for her Chuck.   Prayers for Stephanie, the kids, for the family and friends.  

:'(
Jen

That's terrible and tragic, Chuck.  I'm sorry to hear about this--but I'm glad to hear that she has friends like you around her.

Best wishes,

George

Oh Chuck, I'm so very sorry. I couldn't think of a better person to help Stephanie through this rough time than you.

She and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

with warm regards,
Tony

Prayers and Vibes.
thebb

Chuck:

You're a good man and I'm sure you'll be a good friend and supporter to Stephanie at this time and time to come.  It's a pity that bad things happen to good people -- seeing it happen cuts us to the quick.

I'm only too happy to pray for Stephanie and the kids, as that's what I CAN do and I'll include you in my prayers too, Chuck.

Wishing you the best,

Ray

I'm so sorry to learn of this, Chuck. You, Stephanie, her small children, and the rest of their family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Always tragic, especially when such a young age and children. Thanks for sharing this with us Chuck. I have heard it said that "Joys are multiplied and sorrows divided when you share them with others."

You're an awfully nice guy Chuck and I can understand. I'm glad you are there though. It's all I can think of but know that some vibes are on the way there from here.

Charlie

You got it, Chuck!  :'(

You got it, Chuck! :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

I'm so very sorry!  Everyone affected will be in my thoughts and prayers....I just can't even imagine.

:'(, andrew.

I'm sorry, Chuck. My sympathies to Randy's family and friends.

How very sad  :'(

Your friend Stephanie and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Beth

all that we have coming towards ALL of you!!

:'(

Chuck?   do you remember me taking you aside in Milwaukee?

  We sat outside for a while and talked and it was so refreshing to hear you talk without the bravado or the the jokes.  You really helped me that night when I was talking ab out my son and I got a new respect for you that night...

I can just see you doing the same to this friend of yours in the days to come.

She will need you and I can see you being there for her.   ;)

Chuck,

It's always sad to have someone close to us pass away.  The harsh fact of life is that none of us are getting out of this world alive.  Randy like Daniel, just got a bit out in front of us and left early...  

So...  You make the most of living by loving God, family, and friends and try to stay healthy while working for a reasonably good quality of life.  Anything after that is really the small stuff.

Max vibes heading your way to help you say and do the caring things that Stephanie will need.  That’s what friends are for.

Hang tight good buddy and take care.

Pete & Joyce

Oh Chuck, I'm so sorry for your loss.  So young and so hard to lose someone when you're not done with them . . . .

My only suggestion about supporting her is not to wait for her to ask you to help her out with something.  Pick something you know has been neglected because of his illness and offer to do that specific thing (yard work, car repairs, sorting sympathy cards), whatever needs to be done and you feel comfortable doing.  It shows her that you are truly thinking of her and supporting her.

I'll keep you and her family in my prayers.

Chuck,

Please print out this thread and share it with Stephanie.  Give her my condolences and let her know that I will be praying for her.  Having a relationship with God such as she has provides a great deal of comfort, but she also needs our support at this time.

Jerry

Prayers going out to Stephanie and the family. :'(

I'm so sorry, Chuck. Prayers are on their way from Finland. :(

Sanna

Mosaicwench wrote on Jun 27^th, 2008 at 11:01pm:

My only suggestion about supporting her is not to wait for her to ask you to help her out with something.  Pick something you know has been neglected because of his illness and offer to do that specific thing (yard work, car repairs, sorting sympathy cards), whatever needs to be done and you feel comfortable doing.  It shows her that you are truly thinking of her and supporting her.

I'll second what Pat said here.  Beyond that, just be there for her.

'darlin

<sigh ... >

The calling hours are tonight, and the funeral tomorrow.

This is SO NOT going to be a fun time.

Chuck

ClusterChuck wrote on Jun 28^th, 2008 at 1:01pm:

This is SO NOT going to be a fun time.

Not supposed to be.

Important....significant....yes, but not fun.

My heart aches for you, Chuck. And for Stephanie and her two children.