Garrett Family News
I t never ceases to amaze me how the Lord orchestrates major (and minor) events of our lives. June was our last month at the Wycliffe USA office in Orlando. It was a time of good-byes and farewells to dear friends in Orlando. July 4th week-end my family held the Garrett Family Re-Union in Longview, TX. Even Flora was able to make this event. All was well. Then later in the month, Kevin and I went to Richmond, VA to attend the Knight Family Re-Union.
It was there I received the news that my father was in the hospital. The next week we were back in Orlando for final packing and transportation of our worldly goods to Dallas. Only Kevin went on ahead to help unload the truck while I stayed in Tampa to be with Flora who by this time was in dire need of a liver transplant. Doctors were saying that she was first on the list and would probably have a new liver within a month.
So, I stayed to assure that she ate nourishing food to strengthen her for the surgery. In the meantime, Daddy's situation became grave and the Garrett family was gathering again to be at his bedside. Flora, George and I waited in Tampa to hear how things were going with Daddy. Flora and I surmised that our dear Daddy was losing ground and we began to reflect upon his life, to sing the hymns he loved so well and grieve for him.
To stay with Flora in Tampa or go to Texas became my dilemma. I am grateful for the sober advice of family and friends because a few days earlier Daddy expressed how happy he was that I was there with Flora. Daddy departed this world on August 7th-just hours after Flora received the liver transplant. I held my grief while she was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). When she woke up, she asked about Daddy. For the time being I simply said he was "doing better." He was in a better place.
She had to know but it was best to wait until she was out of ICU. And the Lord did give grace to wait for the best time. We rejoiced with her that she now had a new lease on life and tried to think now about her plans for the future. When the time was right, George and I let Flora know that Daddy had died. It was a difficult moment for us all and then Flora said, it was 'a life for a life' as Daddy seemed to go about the same time Flora received a liver. Once Flora knew that Daddy was gone, I left her with her husband, George, and made preparations to join Kevin and the rest of the Garrett clan in Longview.
I was glad I stayed with Flora because it was the last thing Daddy wanted me to do. We thank God for the liver donor and that Flora is on the road to recovery. We praise God for how he orchestrated all these events. We thank God for the wonderful father we had for so many years. We look forward to seeing him again one day. In the meantime, we trust God to help the Garrett family through this season of grief.
Created on ... October 1, 2005..................................Last edited October 2, 2005