Today's post is dedicated to my Uncle Del. It is hard to believe that it has been 4 years since I last spoke to him, heard him tell a joke, or just listened to one of his wonderfully crazy stories. Man do I miss him. I wish Emma would have gotten the pleasure to be spoiled by my favorite uncle.
Uncle Del served in the USAF during the Vietnam War as a gunner. He was also a loyal friend. He and the general he served had resolved to be there for each other if something happened. It happened. When their helicopter was hit and the general was hit with shrapnel, my Uncle Del Del
There is so much we don't know about a person's life. So many stories of bravery, love, heroism in war and in ordinary family life, that only a few, other than God, know how much our lives are stories of surrendering to God. Uncle Del continued to fight through the back pain that started in Vietnam, even after he was injured a second time back home disabling him. He pressed on, never letting it slow him down. He provided a good life for his family, went to church, would give you the shirt off his back, and have you crying tears of laughter from some crazy story he had to tell. I always loved going to town to visit Uncle Del and Aunt Mary (aka Gramma Mary to Emma).
Summer of 2002 - I had just returned from basic training at Lackland AFB, TX. I can still hear him telling me how PROUD he was that I went into the same military service as he (USAF).
Summer of 2006 - I was home for a visit and had to make sure I stopped by to see two of my most favorite people.
It was Halloween night when my Dad (brother to Del), called me and said I think you better come home. Uncle Del was in the hospital and things were getting worse and fast. His cancer had spread. There wasn't much they could do but keep him comfortable. To see such a strong, boisterous, bigger than life man, go through the pain that he went through, breaks your heart.
1 Nov 2006
I made it in time to spend all day (2 Nov) with him. He was no longer responding, but I like to think he knew who was in the room with him. He sure had a lot of visitors. So many people came by to support him and Aunt Mary and the girls.
If you’ve ever been at the side of someone who breathes his or her last breath, you know it is a profoundly spiritual moment. Knowing the end is imminent, we watched intently wondering, will this breath be the last or this or this? He waited till after almost everyone had left.
I had the privilege to be there for Uncle Del's last breath here on earth, I am so thankful that Aunt Mary and the girls let me stay. You think you are prepared, but when the final exhale comes, it is shocking and so final an act of surrender to God. And yet, in the brief moment before, there is wonder and awe. Just where did this person go who was here a second ago? All of your senses heighten as the last breath of the dying person lingers in the air. You’re rendered totally helpless to aid the person. There is no recovery, no resuscitation. Yet there is an undeniable sense of peace—especially for the person who surrendered to God his last most important possession—life on earth.
We never fully recover from the loss of someone we loved who loved us, who knew us like no other, and with whom we shared unique experiences that shaped us and brought joy and meaning to our lives. But we are not meant to recover; we are meant to remember. Remembering Uncle Del
So if you knew Uncle Del, then you knew his favorite prayer was The Lord's Prayer. Today I will be saying that prayer and thinking of him.
Uncle Del's most favorite pasttime was fishing. I like to picture him somewhere in heaven in a fishing boat with Grandpa Kocher. I hope you both catch a whopper of fish today!
In loving memory
Delmar M. Kocher
Jan 20, 1942 - Nov 2, 2006
Always saying mell of a hess. Definately pipe smoke always makes me think of him.
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