Saying goodbye to someone we love is always hard. My heart fills heavy as if to brake. I’ve cried for days and hours . We all pray for peace and for comfort and it still hurts. God tells us in Psalms 34-18 that he is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. But he also tells us in Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. The Bible encourages us to celebrate the lives of our loved ones. I know how hard that is and I am not struggling with these pains of loss alone. I have faith the Lord will get our family through this together.
This morning at 4:17 I received the message I’ve known for the last two months would come. Our older brother, Freddie Leroy Harrigill (Roy) , passed away at his home . Two days ago I was able to talk to him and pray with him. He couldn’t talk but family held the phone to his ear. I know God let him hear me even through my tears. Both my sisters were able to do the same.
I have so many memories of my brother and I will cherish each one . He and I wrote back and forth while he was in Vietnam. When he got out of the Marines and before he went into the Army he came to see me at work one day and took me to lunch. We sat and talked the whole time before I had to go back. Any time I called him he always answered the phone with, “ It’s your brother from another mother.” It always made me laugh cause we did have the same mother. The many visits to our home to his , our family reunions and our trip to Tennessee. So many , so many memories.
The tears keep flowing and the heath still feels broken. Death is a given and we will all face many passings of those we love. The Bible reassures us that do not have to face our sorrow alone, and God’s presence surrounds us. My brother is without pain now, no tears or sorrow to leave family behind. And I shut my eyes and see him with our mother. What a celebration! I will be there one day to celebrate with them.
Roy enlisted in the Marines 02-25-1965 through 02-24-1969 He then enlisted in the Army 12-9-70 and retired 12-31-1986 He loved old classic cars and owned many.
My brother was 79.
We will all miss him