Transition
“transitory, not durable,” from Latin transientem (nominative transiens) “passing over or away,” present participle of transire “cross over, go over, pass over, hasten over, pass away,” from trans “across, beyond” (see trans-) + ire “to go” (from PIE root *ei- “to go”). Meaning “passing through a place without staying.”
Those of you who know me, know that I am a lover of words. Words are important and most often their meanings are specific, so to be sloppy with words, is- well sloppy. (You also can see that I’m not nearly as fastidious about grammar and punctuation 🤣)
I am struck by the phrase, “passing through a place without staying.” Ain’t that the truth? Two short days ago I described a transition, as the hospice medical team is fond of calling it, occurring within Pam. Her body was transitioning to what was described to me as the next to last phase in the process of dying. Our status quo was changing.
The thing about the verb transitioning is that, absent any other reference points, we have no concept of speed or time. You can’t solve for D in D=SxT while holding two variables. The hospice nurse gave us the distance from the last transition to the next, but she couldn’t solve without knowing speed or time.
Little did either of us expect to find ourselves transitioning again within 48 hours, but here we are anyway.
The hospice nurse and doctor have called Pam imminent, which of course means close at hand.
It is my hunch, that Pam may shooting to pass on Resurrection Sunday. If so, that may be a stretch, but she has stretched the limits a time or two in our years together. Of course, what could be more appropriate than meeting her savior on the day we mark his resurrection? It is all in the hand of Providence now.
Here at the Greer household we are preparing and saying our final goodbyes. It has been a great life together, Sweetie, we most certainly have danced through our minefields and sailed through our storms; I will love you forever.
Brad
15 Responses
As I said the other night, thank you for putting words to the moments to help us process. I love you both dearly and am so grateful to have had those last few moments with her. Laying my head in her lap and her running her fingers through my hair hoping to ease my headache.
Please give my Lovie one last kiss from me ❤️
Randi
You in your amazing grace have helped us say our good byes to this dear one. Always sharing life and love. This world has been altered by her presence as have our lives. Love, love-
Brad, Darlene’s and my prayers for Pam, you and your great family. It’s such a blessing to know where Pam will permanently transition to and be there with Jesus waiting for you and your family when the time comes.
Your and Pam’s passage through this time, shared with your writings have been a blessing to many.
Uncle Brad, I have always lived away with little connection however, I do remember you and Aunt Pam picking me up at the Kingdom Street house at a very young age when my family lived there. I remember when Pam took care of me for a weekend, I believe it was, and we went to visit her relatives in St. Louis…all the fun we had. I remember when Pam was so welcoming, enthusiastically engaged with my daughters and made them feel so special when we visited St. Louis quite a few years ago. Lastly, when you and Aunt Pam were in our area and so kindly met my family for dinner which meant the world to me. I make Aunt Pam’s bread recipe often that she shared with me which has her “Pam” stamp on it. My heart, thoughts and many prayers go out to Aunt Pam, you and all of your family.
Please accept my deepest sympathy and prayers for you both. I pray to our lord that he holds her hand during the final moments, hours or days. I pray you all find peace and comfort in knowing she will be with our lord. And he will be with you always. Amen
I love your passion and love for each other. You two are a very rare Gems.
Peace, Comfort, Blessings and Prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Brad and family
Your words are eloquent, discriptive and comforting to me. But they fall way short of illuminating the brilliance that is Pam in my experiences. I only rarely interacted with you and Pam and your children. But I have always loved having met you and Pam and experiencing in particular Pam’s loving kind generous spirit. You may never know the full extent the impact of knowing both of you may have on the vast majority of the people in your realm, but as for Me I feel forever enriched.
M
Qay Pam rest in peace and may you and yours find solace in having been with her in life.🙏
All my sympathy and prayers
Mark Osborn
brother of Harry Osborn
Brad and family
Your words are eloquent, discriptive and comforting to me. But they fall way short of illuminating the brilliance that is Pam in my experiences. I only rarely interacted with you and Pam and your children. But I have always loved having met you and Pam and experiencing in particular Pam’s loving kind generous spirit. You may never know the full extent the impact of knowing both of you may have on the vast majority of the people in your realm, but as for Me I feel forever enriched.
May Pam rest in peace and may you and yours find solace in having been with her in life.🙏
All my sympathy and prayers
Mark Osborn
brother of Harry Osborn
Mark,
I couldn’t agree more that my words fall short of describing the brilliance of Pam. Thank you for sharing. BTW, I’m always happy to be reminded of my dear friend Harry, but you never need remind us, my friend, of who you are. Thank you and blessings. Brad
Brad, Harry held you and Pam both in the highest of regards. I am so sorry to hear this news
Mark
God Bless each of you. We are truly honored to have had the time & friendship with the Greer family. Sharing your Journey is a gift and an inspiration that will live on for so many. All our Love. Scott & Linda Rayho
“Of course, what could be more appropriate than meeting her savior on the day we mark his resurrection? It is all in the hand of Providence now.”
Brad,
Pam’s life has never not been in the hand of God’s Providence, nor are any of our lives.
Brad, my heart goes out to you and your wonderful family in this most difficult time. Please, please be with her as she transitions. The veil between heaven and earth becomes very thin during times like this. And for those who believe, they often can see through that veil. You may blessed with seeing something wonderful in her face as she gazes upon the beautific vision of what is on the other side. You do not want to miss this.
I am praying for you during this time of Pam’s transition.
Dr. Fox
Thank you sir. I read this to her recently and she loved it. Our pastor came to pray for her on Sat and he chose the same selection to read from the Heidelberg Confession:
Here’s the first question of the Heidelberg confession:
Lord’s Day 1
Q&A1 Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death? A. That I am not my own,1 but belong—body and soul, in life and in death2—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.3
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,4 and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.5 He also watches over me in such a way6 that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven;7 in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.8
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life9 and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.10
1 1 Cor. 6:19-20 2 Rom. 14:7-9 3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14 4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2 5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11 6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5 7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18 8 Rom. 8:28 9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14 10 Rom. 8:1-17
Brad, my heart hurts for you and your family. God truly is faithful. I know you know that. I’m praying intensely for you, for Pam, for all who know and love you.
Thanks, Kim, you’re walking the same walk; my family is praying for you and your family as well.
Dan and I didn’t know you long or really well . But you left your mark on our lives. You will be. Missed.