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We awoke this morning to a “Jurassic Park” day where the misty clouds cling to the mountainside in a most deliciously nefarious manner. It wasn’t long before a heftier raincloud enveloped our mountain, an event that puts us all on watch for a rainbow. Little did we know when the rainbow inevitably shone its transient glory how the reminder of hope and restoration would hit our hearts today.

When we first moved to Cairns, Brian almost immediately began attending the men’s Bible study through church. Our routines at home have him heavily involved in getting the girls up and going so that I can get in some exercise before taking over. Choosing the early morning Bible study would have put a kink in our system, so he went to the option that met later on Thursday mornings. He quickly figured out that put him in the “retired men’s Bible study” category since most men his age were at work in their more traditional jobs. Through that group our family connected with Fred, an elderly gentleman with an incredible life story. The girls fell head over heels for Mr Fred, and he them, but we worried. His health was in decline and his memory becoming spotty. It has been quite some time since the girls and I have seen him, but Brian visits with him regularly and is a small part of helping his family as they give special care and attention to this final phase of his life. We got word this morning that he had a stroke last night and was in the hospital. Brian spent some time with him today while his family went to lunch. He was mostly sleeping after a pretty wretched night.

We’re asking for prayers for Mr Fred, his children, and his grandchildren as they look to a difficult parting. He is ready… more than ready… to be free of this mortal coil. The doctors gave him just days and asked the family to bring everyone in to be with him, but he has started to rebound. Our prayer is not for healing and what at this point in his life would feel like a tethering to this world, but instead that he would be blessed with peaceful sleep, sweet moments with his gathered family, and a gentle release. We know this to be his wish, the wish of his children, and the wish of his dearest friend, Norma. We are deeply saddened, but so grateful to know him and to have born witness to just a small bit of his life.