If you have not figured it out just yet this mission belongs to Craig. His parents lived long full lives. Jeanette passed away at the age of 84 and Kenneth 94. That is some longevity.

All 3 of the boys went off to live their lives. Bryan lived in Florida working as a CFO in the business world and returned to Rockford after their mom suffered from a stroke. He assisted with her care along with the care of their father. He has remained in Rockford since that time. His brother Curtis is now 78 and enjoying time at the Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in their town.

Craig attended college and received his degree in architecture. This is also where he met his lifelong friends TJ and Renee who would eventually marry. They currently live in Milwaukee and Craig in Ohio. Craig did a lot of traveling the world as an architect however as much as he loved architecture he felt his calling was to help people in a different way. 

He returned to college where he received a second degree in psychology and for the last 25 years he has worked as a psychotherapist doing professional counseling. He has truly enjoyed helping many people.

For his 60th birthday he and his dear friends TJ and Renee traveled to Sweden, Copenhagen Denmark and Helsinki Finland to observe the architectural beauty in those countries. It was a wonderful trip, he said.

Craig is now 64 and just 2 years ago was unexpectedly diagnosed with stomach cancer. Through this journey he has met his incredible neighbors Cari and Bob. Cari is a pharmacist and both she and Bob have become very close to Craig. I would say a “Godsend” and I am quite sure that Craig would agree.

Recently Craig was walking home from Cari’s house and became dizzy and fell to the ground. He ended up in the hospital. I received a call from Cari explaining that she was helping her neighbor who needed to get back to family in Illinois.

We spoke several times over several days so much so that we just answered each one's phone call on a first name basis. She is so compassionate and that was evident just through our many conversations. ( What an example of God’s command to “love your neighbor.”

Thank you Cari from the bottom of my heart for living that out. )

After doing all that she thought she could do she “turned me over” as she put it to Bryan, Craig’s brother. Another tender-hearted voice greeted me when I called him to continue this process. 

Craig was released from the hospital and sent to a nursing home for what we thought may be a few weeks while necessary things came together before his move. He arrived there on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning I received a call from Bryan desperately wanting to get his brother out of this place as he was not getting the care he deserved. In one of our many conversations Bryan said to me, “Tack sa mycket” which was actually “greek” to me but turns out it is actually Swedish. He went on to tell me it means……..”Thank you very much” in Swedish. 

It became almost impossible for me to get in touch with anyone at this nursing home and so entered my friend Cari once again. She was truly instrumental in helping me or should I say Craig. She took the necessary forms for doctors signatures and visited everyday with Craig calling me with vital signs and updates. Even allowing us to meet via face time. I am very thankful for her help as I know Bryan and Craig are as well.

The plan is for Craig to eventually go to the Fairhaven Christian retirement center with his brother Curtis. In the meantime Bryan will help care for him in his home. Bryan is obviously the caregiver of the family. None of them ever married or had children. One another is all they have.

We arrived in Columbus on a crisp bright sunny morning and were greeted by both Cari and Bob. What precious saints and a blessing to finally meet them. They brought Craig’s luggage with them and pushed it on the tarmac to the plane. The smiles of Bob, Cari and Craig were almost as bright as the sunshine as they bid their goodbyes.

Our flight was smooth as Craig, Claire, Kaity and myself chatted. I do not recall that Craig ever stopped smiling from the moment we met him. He spoke of many “God-moments” he has recognized in his life. He once met Billy Graham when the 2 shared a flight. 

He told us that he and his brothers had been estranged for many years and when he received his cancer diagnosis he reached out to Bryan. He told Bryan that no matter what had happened in the past that he loved him. As his voice broke up he said that that was all it took and Bryan has been there to help him all along the way.

We landed in Rockford and in the distance I could see a gentleman standing alone. I could tell he was carrying both a weight on his shoulder and at the same time a sense of relief. As Claire, Kaity and I approached we could see the emotion on Bryan’s face. No longer able to hold back he allowed his tears full of gratitude to flow freely down his cheeks. He hugged each of us individually and I could feel him shaking uncontrollably with relief that his youngest brother was finally home where he belongs. He was so genuine and this was a precious moment and blessing to be a part of. And for this Bryan…..I say……”Tack sa mycket” for sharing this moment with us.

We escorted Bryan out to the plane as we transferred Craig onto the ambulance cot. Immediately the two of them gently hugged one another. Bryan began speaking to him in both English and Swedish in remembrance of their family’s roots and heritage. 

We joined in prayer once again before our emotional good byes. 

I found out that only a few hours after arriving home Craig had to return to the hospital due to his weakness. I later spoke with Bryan and have asked him to please keep us updated.

MATTHEW 22:37-40

JESUS REPLIED, “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.

THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT. AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT:

“LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

ALL THE LAW AND PROPHETS HANG ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS.”

To Hal, Claire and Kaity….Tack sa mycket for sharing this mission with me.

Blessings,

Shelli RN