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Sunday, November 09, 2008

Many of you know of my friend,Becky. Her husband is in his last few days of his valiant battle with cancer. He will leave behind 7 beautiful children, 1 amazing wife, his loving parents and brother, and hundreds of heart-broken relatives and friends. This is where I would like to insert a few cuss words about that stupid disease (Becky would expect that from me!). I will however, refrain because this is supposed to be a dignified attempt to spread the word. Anyway, I'm dedicating my blog to him for the next little bit as we organize and launch an effort to help them. Please check it often to see how you can help this extraordinary family and follow their story! lewisairways.blogspot.com Thanks.

3 comments:

Sally said...

Thanks so much for helping spread the word Lisa!

Anonymous said...

On a "whim" (now I know otherwise) my family and I stopped in to see Duane and his family today. Unexpectedly, we found him in what appeared to be his last few hours on this earth. It was beautiful to see his family and friends around him, with him, and all celebrating his life and their love for him.

If there was ever a man that was ready to meet his maker, it is Duane - yet it was as touching to see his love so strong for Becky and the kids, that it was the only thing he would regret about going "home".

Although I knew that he was on "borrowed time", I just didn't expect to see him slipping away this quickly. It was so recently that I saw him out with the family at a football game at Tiger Stadium; and at Girls' Camp in Bartlesville. I felt so inadequate in only being able to tell him "Thank you" for the way he had lived his life.

But it is true. Duane always lived his life and religion genuinely and was like the calm in the middle of the storm we call "life" and "the world". He was always a great example of his beliefs and on his "best" behavior. He was the first to greet us into our new church congregation with the true spirit of Christ - an impression and appreciation for which that has stayed with us for more than 10 years now.

Once his kids & family survive the loss of his mortal presence, they will still go on to be better people because of him... I know I can say that, because me and my family will do so, too. Then with them, we will look forward to seeing him once again in an eternal reunion of family and friends.

As a family we want Becky, the kids, Cindy, Pete & Meghan to know that they will never be alone after this. We will do our part to fulfill Duane's desire that his children not be raised alone by Becky.

It's past 11:00 pm now, and I am still without sleep. He was not expected to make it through the night, yet I can't bring myself to call or to go back over there this late. When we left, I felt that was to be a sacred, personal time for him and his family.

I know we will hear from them later tomorrow, but I am still filled with a sense of loss, already, for a brother in Christ & a man that I have loved like few ever in my life. What a truly Christian man!

Thank you for setting up this website for his family. I hope they will have many memories cataloged on here that will last them until they see Duane again…


Sincerely & with great love,


The Hilbert Family
(Dan & Felisa, Citlali, Thomas & Xochitl)

valgae said...

this is beautiful!! thank you lisa!!love ya!!!!