On Losing a Friend
Friday morning we received a call from Fort Worth that a good friend and a member of Paul's ministry board was in the hospital and not doing well.
We were on the road within the hour and got there three hours later.
Our friend Billy was on a ventilator and in a coma. Apparently he had a massive stroke or aneurysm the night before about 9 pm and had been taken immediately to the hospital.
Thursday, the day before, he had had a busy day with a luncheon at noon and then a meeting that evening. He was enjoying a little bowl of ice cream with Jere, his wife, when his hand and then his leg didn't work right. That was when Jere called 911. Billy's last words were, "I love you, Jere." Billy changed clothes, exchanging his earth suit for his heaven suit Friday about 5 pm.
The Burlesons go way back with the Hardies. Billy and Jere married in the late 70's, the second marriage for both. They were planning their honeymoon to Hawaii. At the same time the church, where we were all members and Paul was the pastor, gave us a trip to Hawaii. We all went together, the Burlesons for their first visit to Hawaii and the Hardies on their honeymoon.
We still reminisce and laugh about all the fun things we did and all the laughs we had like, a scantily clad woman crossed in front of our car and Billy said to Paul, "Didn't she have pretty eyes?" Another fun memory was a common saying on the island of Maui, "I survived the road to Hana." Jere wasn't so sure she survived with Paul's driving and all the one-lane curves. Scary!
Other memories include going on ski trips to Colorado together. The Hardies didn't ski but they went for the fun and fellowship. One fun memory is the "ski pie." It was a wonderful butterscotch type pie that we made and always had on this trip. All of us left to do something and Paul stayed at the cabin to "study." Mysteriously the rest of that ski pie just vanished. Hmmm...Paul swore he had no clue. We still laugh at that one.
Such very fun memories that will live on even though the person of Billy is gone from us.
Billy and Jere are members of Paul's ministry board, which meets annually. We got to see them and catch up and visit at least periodically at those meetings. Then every time we were in Fort Worth speaking or visiting we arranged to have lunch with the Hardies.
We will miss those very fun times with Billy, but we will never forget him. He is a part of us in our memories and in our ministry and we look forward to joining him soon.
Mourning the loss of a wonderful man,
MB
5 comments:
I know that I know that I know,
but these consecutive losses of life here on this earth has been a lot for you all. Mark and I were both talking what a wonderful person that we knew him as and that is only a drop in the bucket for all you have both shared with he and Gere. We are very sorry for your loss.
Oh my , no need to be anonymous! This last comment was from Stephanie F. Sorry!
Billy was one of my favorites...great visits and lots of laughs at the board meetings. My how I will miss that sweet man!
In regards to work..
Billy was an inductee into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame for Engineers having designed many of the interchanges you travel on around the city of Fort Worth.
In regards to sports..Billy was a cranky, onery, opinionated Texas Tech Red Raiders fan.
In regards to friendships..Billy was a loyal, longtime very good friend.
In regards to to the human race..Billy was one of a kind.
In regards to the Kingdom of God..Billy was a quiet, committed servant of God who loved his Lord.
In regards to the Burlesons..Billy will be missed.
As we are preparing to celebrate the twins 1st birthday today, I can't help but stop and reflect on this circle of life as I already miss Billy Hardie - and a bit jealous that he gets to experience what's next before the rest of us who are left behind. These 2 little boys are beginning life here as Billy is beginning life afterwards. What a journey! I miss being with everyone celebrating Billy's life - so I just stopped a minute here in OKC to do it by myself. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for sharing a part of Billy with all of us. And thanks for celebrating and grieving at the same time. Love that! Cherri
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