[Granville-Hough] 9 Aug 1009 - Death Comes to All

[Trustees for Granville W. Hough]

DEATHS OF THE HOUGH BROTHERS

In reflecting on Roland’s death, let us recall his heart stopped while 
he was under anesthesia on the operating table. It is my belief he felt 
no pain, knew nothing when his heart stopped. His time had simply come, 
and he had already made his peace when he resigned himself to and agreed 
to an emergency operation. Undoubtedly Roland would have preferred to be 
doing something else at the final moment, but we do not choose.
Recall that Dueward was moving a truckload of cows to market, and his 
assistant was opening the barnyard gate. He just keeled over at the 
wheel of his truck, and was dead. He was doing what he wanted to do when 
his time came.
Recall that Rudolph was getting ready to go to Church on Sunday, a 
church he had landscaped, supported financially, and dearly loved, and 
he had his fatal attack and was dead in minutes. He was doing what he 
wanted to do when his time came.
Recall that Clifford was planting peas in his garden and was making the 
final turn to cover the seeds, and he fell off his tractor, so far as we 
know, dead. The motor of the tractor was still running when someone 
became aware. (It may be that I do not have the the details of 
Clifford's death quite correct.) He was doing what he wanted to do when 
his time came.
Recall that Harold had a long lingering death of a rare disease which 
reduced him to skin and bones. Finally he took matters into his own 
hands and refused to eat. He passes away quietly after weeks of 
suffering. He was not doing what he wanted to do when his time came, but 
he did not complain.
I pray to God that Donald and I will be doing what we want to do when 
our times come, and that our hearts simply stop, even as did those of 
Roland, Dueward, Rudolph, and Clifford. Please spare our families any 
long lingering death; but if that is His will, please give us the 
fortitude of our brother, Harold.

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This prayer was answered.    My father Granville lived alone until January,
entered hospice care in February, and succumbed to his illness in March.
He was able to continue his work and send out status emails and attend
church up until mid-February.      

David Hough