Contemplation
For the first time, I've thought about this hymn in a way other than death:
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence ev’ry passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
- Lutheran Service Book, Hymn 878, sts. 1, 2
Impossible Request?
David's voice boomed from the front of the house to the kitchen: "SARAH! DON'T DO THAT!"
I called David to the kitchen. "David, I know Sarah is really irritating you right now. I've had the same problem with her this morning, so I understand why you're upset . . . but please, yell at her softly!"
Comfort Dog
This morning, Jonathan and I washed Fly in preparation for her trip to Concordia's campus. She patiently endured her bathtub time, for which we were grateful.
Later on campus, a variety of people from her former life--colleagues, students, neighbors--stopped to greet her. Lila had frequently brought Fly to her office, often as a rest stop during a long walk. The students asked us if Fly could attend the next meeting of the English club. Wonderful idea!
Postscript: Fly
From our youth director:
For a little smile... The kids were talking about how Fly barks and gives it away when someone tries to sneak in or out. Sounds like you've found a great "watch" dog for the house.
Fly
Jonathan and I will join Fly outside Concordia's chapel at 11:20 am tomorrow. Many people know Fly from Lila's years of walking her daily through River Forest, and by popular demand we'd like Fly to see her friends again.
Ephesians 6:16-18
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith,
with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
and take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
My Dad
Many of you have asked how my Dad is doing. The doctors took him off almost all of his medications, and at that point he began to improve greatly. His blood pressure went from 80/60 to normal, and he felt much better physically and emotionally, and was allowed to resume physical therapy.
A few days ago, he answered his telephone without assistance, and his voice sounds more like himself now. He is walking up to 500 feet a day, and has even joked with the staff by asking them when he can start jogging. His time in the rehab hospital is estimated at more than 50 more days, but he's motivated to get out sooner.
Thank you for your prayers and support. What a relief that he pulled through the surgery and its aftermath.
Email to Jonathan
Jonathan,
We are neighbors of Lila's from down the block. We were very saddened and shocked by her sudden passing. I was told by a student that you have kindly taken in Lila's dog. We are very fond of Fly, and our dog, Mabel, is friends with her. There are also a few other dogs on our block that are friends with Fly. We just wanted to see how Fly is coping with the sudden, dramatic change and to tell you how compassionate it is of you to be taking care of her. We didn't know Lila well but knew her pets meant the world to her. Lila was also very fond of our dog and the last thing I heard Lila say was "Thank you, Mabel" as Mabel went up to greet her a few days before Lila passed. We were wondering if you live in the area and if by chance we'd ever see Fly around. Fly and our dog Mabel would be happy to see each other . . . . We pray for Lila's soul and for her pets and for you as her dog's new caregiver. Thank you.
Kelley and Jessica
Enough
So if problems come in threes, we've had ours. I'd like some peace and quiet now!
One Day at a Time
Be still, my soul; your God will undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
From Hymn 725 in
Lutheran Service Book
The Story of Fly
Lila and her dog walking the perimeter of campus--
That's a familiar sight to anyone at Concordia. Jonathan and I met Lila and Allie on our first day at Concordia over fifteen years ago. Dog people get to know each other very quickly.
Shortly after Allie died, Jonathan drove Lila to an animal shelter to bring home a beautiful border collie. She named her Fly, after the dog in the movie
Babe. For about twelve years, we all witnessed Lila walking Fly at least four times a day, often for great distances. Even as Fly aged and struggled with arthritis, the pair of them kept going, just at a slower pace.
Last week, Lila fell ill and didn't teach her classes for many days. But she kept walking Fly. I briefly considered offering to watch the dog until Lila felt better, but decided against it. Fly's companionship was too important for Lila, even during illness.
Lila's brother stayed with her last Monday into the evening. He asked to spend the night, but she refused. "I'll just walk Fly around the block and then go to bed." One of the last things she did was to care for her beloved companion.
The next morning, as Jonathan approached the Concordia campus, he saw police cars and an ambulance in front of Lila's condo building. Shortly after arriving at his office, he learned that her brother had found her dead. Jonathan telephoned me with the shocking news, and I immediately left work to attend the chapel service at Concordia. En route, however, Jonathan and I discussed the possibility of caring for Fly. Jonathan walked over to Lila's apartment to find out if we could help. Lila's brother gave us the privilege of taking Fly into our home.
Jonathan found that someone had leashed up Fly and brought her to the grassy courtyard in front of Lila's home. The dog lay on the grass, unmoving. Many people came and went, and Lila's body was taken away, and then only Jonathan and Fly remained. Whenever he approached her, she'd commence barking and threatening to nip until he backed off. An hour later, I arrived but had no further luck. I couldn't even stroke her without causing a flurry of barking. Fly knew Lila was gone, but had determined to continue her duty.
After another forty-five minutes, we coaxed her to a standing position with small tastes of my bologna sandwich. She was quite hungry, either from her medication or from not eating for a while, and the sandwich helped her to trust us. But I think she finally just accepted that we were now her new caretakers. From that moment, she walked with us and accepted our touch. We lifted her into our car, the same one she had ridden in so many years ago, and brought her to our home.
I spent the afternoon in the yard with her and Kentucky. After only five minutes, the two dogs became friends. Fly lay in the yard, barking non-stop every time I went out of sight. Sometimes, when alone, she would also howl. I know she misses Lila. So do we.
In Memoriam
Members of the Concordia Chicago Community,
Sometime in the early morning hours, it pleased Almighty God to summon to Himself the soul of Dr. Lila Kurth, Professor of English.
Hers was a luminous presence on this campus--a dedicated teacher, colleague, and mentor.
Further details will be shared as they are known.
Dr. Johnson [president of Concordia]
____________________________________________
Kurth, Lila M.: Professor of English
B.S.Ed. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; M.A., Ph.D. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. At Concordia since 1977.
Progress
"Good morning!"
"Ugh." [translation: grunt]
