Thursday, November 06, 2008

Life Is Fragile

Yesterday while Papa and I were on our way to our anniversary dinner a call came in to let us know that Papa's aunt had suddenly died. This is very devastating to the family and also to the community in which her and her husband touched. Her husband is a pastor of a church and she was the director of a bilingual school. There was a goodness and beauty in her that you don't find in many people.

She had an accident at her home where she fell and hit her chest. This injury ultimately caused a fatal blood clot because it resulted in 4 heart attacks and /or strokes within a few days. The unfortunate part of this is that had the hospital called in the cardiologist earlier, the blood clot might have been detected and treated and there is a very good chance that she would be alive today. The family might have a mal-practice case against the hospital, but it would probably create more problems for the family so they are not going to pursue a case against them. It's very sad the circumstances of her death. She leaves behind five children. Four grown and one young junior high age daughter.

I feel terrible for the family and she will be missed. We had just spent time at her house when Papa's sister was in town and I have some pictures of her, but not many that are that great. There was a few that I tried to catch because she took Brother for a little walk around her property and they looked so sweet walking hand in hand, but I was late in getting to my camera and it was hard to catch a good photo. She gave a beautiful blessing over Papa and his sister that day.

One thing that I am surprised about is that Papa's sister who just left back to the states that I wrote about in the previous post is returning for the funeral and will be here tonight through Wednesday. Papa went to the hospital last night to be with the family as they were waiting to release her body for funeral preparations. Later this afternoon we will be going to give our respects again to the family and the funeral will be tomorrow. This will be my first experience with a funeral in Honduras.

Life is so fragile.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I am terribly sorry for your loss, and can share your grief, having experienced the sudden death of my beloved niece a few years ago.

I will pray for you today.

Jeanne said...

So sorry to hear about your loss. My husband and I are missionaries in Honduras, working with a seminary and clinic. The very first week we were here, the founder's son died and so we had our first experience with a funeral in Honduras.

They are usually very well attended and long.

I'm sorry you have to experience this. Death is hard to take but it sounds like she was ready, spiritually speaking.

Blessings on your family at this time.

Cindy in California said...

I am so sorry for this loss to your family and of course, to her family and the people of their church and community. You are right, life is fragile!

I pray that everyone touched by this loss will find comfort during this difficult time.

I have never been to a funeral in Honduras and would be interested in whatever you feel comfortable sharing about this experience at some point in the future.

God bless you during this time of sorrow.

chicadedios25 said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. You and Papa Sprout and his family will be in my prayers.

Crystal said...

I am so sorry about your loss. I will be praying for you and all the family in Honduras.

Cindy in California said...

What a small world! I just spoke to my friend in Tegus and she and her husband knew your husband's aunt and went to the funeral. My friend had known her for years and I met her two years ago at a women's conference in La Esperanza. (I have to admit I do not remember her because I met 60+ women that weekend.)

My friend went on and on about what a wonderful woman she was and how hard she worked in the church and school and how much she will be missed by so many.

Once again I am sorry for the loss your family is dealing with.

Honduras Sprout said...

Thanks everyone for the nice words.

Cindy- it is a small world. She was a great woman.