Bittersweet
David Bates
President/Owner at Bates Nursery & Garden Center / EarthMix? Garden Products
My dear friend Greg Werle passes quietly, surrounded by loving family
Six weeks ago Greg got some unexpected news. This news was so exciting he could hardly contain it. He asked for a meeting of a few close friends. The news he shared washed over his frail frame with a warm glow; he was beaming. He found out he had a brother, Danny, who lives in California.
Greg shared that they had several lengthy phone conversations. He shared his excitement that Danny would be coming for a visit in March and that they were going to take a trip to Missouri this summer so that Greg could show his brother their ‘roots’. Greg wished desperately to share the life he knew growing up and his memories of their father, whom Danny never knew.
This past Friday morning arrived for the Werle’s, with Greg in agonizing pain. The hospital was inevitable. On Saturday morning, with his pain now eased, I went for a visit. In fact, several of us went. We were treated to a wonderful visit and exchange of extensive lively conversation. Greg expected to be going home Sunday and we had no reason to doubt. By that afternoon, reality returned; his condition dramatically deteriorated. I had two thoughts as I visited on Sunday morning: Greg’s time was short, and it looked unlikely he and his brother would meet.
Kathy, Greg’s dear wife of 40 years, sent me a text Sunday evening asking me to pick up Danny at the airport Monday morning. I did. As we drove, I tried to articulate what I believed Greg’s condition would be: Greg might not know Danny was there.
As we entered the hospital room I saw what I expected. Greg was heavily medicated and unconscious. Danny approached bedside. Immediately, Greg’s eyes began to blink, then open. He looked directly at his brother Danny. Greg instantly attempted to get out of bed to hug Danny; he was too weak. As I stood at the foot of the bed between Kathy and their daughter Deon, we wept at the beauty of the magical moment. The two brothers met for the first time on Greg’s last day, in his last hours. I now profoundly understand the full meaning of the word: Bittersweet.
I love you Greg Werle,
David Bates
Thank you to all who have graciously donated to the “Greg Werle Cancer Fundraiser”. Donations are still being accepted.
Real Estate Agent at TriStar Elite Realty Garden Blogger/YouTube
10 年I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend! I'm glad he was able to meet his brother before he passed.
My prayers are with you and thank you for not only sharing a story that gives a small peek into the "goals" of someone with a life limiting illness but also of sharing a very selfless story of your participation in helping him achieve that goal.
Senior Federal Account Manager at Novartis
10 年David....thanks for sharing this....I couldn't make it down to Nashville for the service and I am so glad I heard this part of the story. I will miss Greg also.