Request for prayers

[mellytu74]

Everyone -

This has been a terrible two-week period. Two-plus, actually. I am asking for prayers for many people.

My writing partner, Jonah Wamah, passed away a couple of weeks ago in his native Liberia.

Jonah's son, Joseph, was killed in a mass murder during July 4th holidays two years ago. He was the first one killed and the last one discovered. Ever since, Jonah had been depressed and stressed out. He was in the hospital for heart problems.

The trial for the accused killer is December. Jonah went to Liberia to visit family, hoping it would comfort him, with the intent of coming back in November around Thanksgiving. The last time we messaged, he said he was looking forward to talking with his buddy Boonie soon.

He died in his sleep. I think it was a broken heart.

That was followed by two friends from grade school - one in the Midwest and a local one opting for no service or memorial. Lots of conversations with old friends followed. [Another grade school friend has been diagnosed with metastasized cancer - there was a get-together for him. Everyone brought lottery scratch-off tickets as presents].

THEN, my oldest cousin's husband went in the hospital for a stent and new pacemaker. He was fine until the pacemaker needed replacing soon afterward. He went to rehab but, in the end, it was all too much. He went into hospice. He died a few days after Bernie Parent.

He was 83 but, until this stent operation, was still pretty active with the grandkids and such.

The last one was a shocker.

About a year ago, my cousin Rita's husband, 69, had a mild heart attack. Everything was fine and he went back to his job as a chef for a catering company. He took the grandkids to the 9th Street Market, as he did his children before that. Was there a couple of weeks ago. He still jammed on the saxophone with his son every once in a while.

About 8 days ago, he complained of stomach pains. They went to the ER.

Cancer. Metastasized in two places. No symptoms. No warning. Nothing in spring bloodwork. Quick and vicious.

So, hug your loved ones. Eat the peach.

[a1mamacat]

Oh Melly, you got all I can give.

[silverscreenselect]

Melly, I can understand what you're going through right now. I attended another family funeral last week.

Best wishes and prayers from me.

[tlynn78]

That's just brutal, Melly. Hugs and prayers. Also,
Cancer is an effing bitch.

[Beebs52]

Prayers from here.

[gsabc]

You have my prayers, sympathies and condolences.

[Ritterskoop]

Directing the white hot glare of righteousness wherever it will help.