What To Do When God Takes Someone You Love.

Genesis 5:23-24- “So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”  NASB 

• The Friendship Started 

Barbara Jo and I had just moved into our new house at the lake. I was mowing the grass when I saw an older man riding his lawn mower towards me. He turned off his mower and I turned off mine. He said, "Hi, my name is Harry." I said, "Hi, my name is Gary." 
 
That was the introduction of what was going to be a great friendship. It didn't last long enough was the only problem.
 
He said to me, "Did I see you riding a Harley?" I said, "Yes, you did." His next words were, "I got my first one in 46, right after I came home from the war."
 
Harry had grown up in Chicago and worked as a Union Carpenter. It had been the trade of his father and grandfather.
 
In 3 1/2 years he taught me a lot of little carpentry tricks to fix things and also how to live. 

• How To Live To Be 93 

Harry lived to be 93 yrs old. He told me his advice to a long life is to stay active. He informed me he was not going to make the mistake his dad did. His dad retired and according to Harry didn't stay active and died in his 60's.
 
Harry did exactly what he said he would do. He stayed active. Our first winter here we received about 6-8 inches of snow on our first snow fall. I took my snow blower over to Harry's to help clear his driveway. He came out and stopped me. He said, "I know what you're trying to do and I appreciate it, but I have to do this myself."
 
I learned a valuable lesson from my friend. If you want to live to be 93 stay active.
 
I watched him paint his garage last summer. He sat in a lawn chair and painted the lower half then stood and used a roller and painted the top half. It took him days but he did it.
 
I did go over and make him come down off the ladder once. He had 15 or 20 bees buzzing around his head. He said, "I just have a little bit more to do." I said, "Harry it will be there tomorrow. Now come down off the ladder you are making me nervous."
 
He came down but he wasn't real happy. He wanted to finish painting his garage. I sprayed the bees nest and he finished the job later that day.
 
So how do you live to be 93? According to Harry, "Stay Active." 

• What To Do When God Takes Someone You Love 

I think the best thing you can do is talk about them. You have memories to share and life lessons that will bless others, so talk about them. Share those stories. One way to never let them die is to talk about them. When you talk about the one that has deceased others will know it is okay to speak about them with you also.
 
Let me close with this story of Harry. He put a roof over his back steps that led to his garage. He did this when he was 92. He framed it out, put plywood over it and shingles over the plywood.
 
When I saw his new addition I said to him, "Harry why didn't you call me and I would have helped you." He said, "I didn't need you."
 
What a hoot! I wish you all could have known him. The world doesn't have too many gems like Harry left in it. 
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• Greatest Compliment 

The day before Harry died I took some food over to his house. I sat on the couch and talked with him for a few minutes. When I got up to leave he stuck out his hand and I shook it and he told me this, "You were a good neighbor."  I likewise told him, "That he was a good neighbor as well."
 
Harry was a real blessing in my life and I am going to miss him. It won't be the same mowing the grass this year and looking over not seeing him mowing his grass.
 
So long Harry, I am going to miss you my friend.
 
Think On These:
 
A man never gets so rich that he can afford to lose a friend.
 
A friend takes an interest in you, but not a controlling one.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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