Hello all,

It has been two days since the love of my life went to be with the Lord in Heaven. On Tuesday October 19, 2021, Chuck awoke with chest pain. As soon as he let me know, we called the paramedics who came and took him into the hospital. He was taken right away to the heart catheterization room and after the procedure had a heart arrythmia. The emergency room staff did CPR for 40 minutes but could not restart his heart. Chuck then went to be with the Lord. The Bible teaches us many, many lessons… but as I reflect on my life together with Chuck, I know in my heart, mind and soul that just as Isaiah said, “… they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:31 (ESV). For me the comfort is knowing not only will we meet again in Heaven, but just as Isaiah used the wings of Eagles to attribute the great characteristics of eagles to those who remain faithful to God and look to their heavenly reward, so shall these wings enable Chuck to overcome the earthly boundaries that he experienced here on earth. It is through our trust in the Lord Jesus we have the knowledge then and comfort that our new bodies will overcome ALL obstacles and enable us to truly celebrate, together again, in complete and everlasting joy.

It is with these thoughts that I want to convey a few requests. First, Chuck requested that there not be a funeral or other formal service. He really wanted us to find some way to remember, but do so through what he called, a “yucky get together”. With the events and struggles in our world over the past year, I think this is especially important, yet especially challenging. So, I thought I might ask the following of you. If you are reading and reflecting on this journal and the pictures of Chuck, would you be so kind as to write a brief note to me to answer the following question.. “what was it about Chuck that made you laugh or feel better than you did before you met him?” Just a brief note. Then, would you post a picture with that note that you feel captures that feeling. These two things are a small way we can share in our own individual ways, yet together in word and in picture, what Chuck meant to those who knew him.

It is my hope over time, through the constant remembrance of who He.. our Lord God through Christ Jesus… was, is, and always will be that can give us our never ending source of hope to know one day we too can rise up and soar as eagles to see, walk and fellowship with Chuck and Gregg and all of the family again.

Love,