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| Linda and Del watching NIU beat Kent State at Ford Field in Detroit |
Linda's father Del Lawson went to be with the Lord early this morning. He died in the ER unit of Mercy Hospital in Monroe.
We got home from the hospital at 4 AM - 3 hours ago. Linda and I woke up at 7 and can't get back to sleep.
Del lived with us for 6 1/2 years. A few minutes ago I told Linda, "It feels alone in our house."
Del was 90.
I have a million memories of life with Linda's father. Here's a recent one.
On Friday, Nov. 30, Northern Illinois University was playing Kent State in football for the MAC championship at Ford Field in Detroit. Del played a year of football for NIU, and lived most of his life in DeKalb, Illinois, where NIU is located. Linda and I got our Bachelor's degrees there.
On the day of the game there was much anticipation in our home, especially in Del. He was going to watch it on TV. I got the idea - why not take Del to see the game, live, at Ford Field? I shared this with Linda, who agreed we should. Then I asked Del, "Would you like to go see the game in person tonight?" Del answered, "Why yes, I would. But I must insist on one thing. I AM GOING TO PAY FOR THE TICKETS!" I had learned many years ago that one should not debate Del about things like this.
Immediately Del began calling family and friends, saying, "I'm going to the game tonight!" I went online and got the tickets. We drove to the stadium, packing Del's wheelchair. When we got to Ford Field we were given a handicapped place on the 50-yard line. We had a beautiful view of the game!
Del was like a kid in a candy store. He shouted, he cheered, he laughed, and his eyes were wide open as he beheld, before him, his beloved Huskies. The game was one of the most exciting I had ever seen. NIU won in 2 overtimes, 44-37. Del told Linda, many times in the days that followed, "That was the most fun I've had in years!"
Until now..., because of that event Linda, Del, Lora, Grady, and I believe so firmly in: Christ has been raised from the dead, and we who are in Him shall also live forever with our God.
