Can't Wait to Get Home
About 10 years ago a wonderful family moved into our ward, Greg and Noreen Gubler. I don't think that I got to know them very well until Noreen had their second son. She had a terrible case of post-partum blues and depression. Analia invited her to come and stay with us so that she could take care of her. Greg and their family took care of Jonathan, their oldest son.
After Noreen recovered and our lives returned to
normal, I kind of lost track of the Gubler's in my busy life. I would talk to
them at church and was always impressed by the sweet spirit that seemed such a
part of their family. In the years that I have known them, I have become aware
of the sacrifices and the many acts of kindness for which they were responsible.
Noreen is always the first to take food to a sick or grieving family and Greg
was always there when a family was moving in or out.
Then one day about 3 weeks ago I heard that Greg
had been taken to the emergency room with a severe attack of asthma. They seemed
to get him stabilized and sent him home but he did not seem to improve. Finally
they took him back into the hospital and started running tests. Before long he
was diagnosed with cancer and on August 18, 2001, Greg passed
away.
Death never seems to come when we are ready for
it, either to ourselves or to someone we know. But when a 38-year-old man is
taken from his young family, it is especially difficult to deal with. There were
about 300 people at the funeral and there seemed to be a general sense of shock.
Yet there was something else also. A sense that Greg was all right and that he
had gone home to be with his heavenly family. I believe with all my heart that
Greg is all right and that he is busy doing good for everyone he comes in
contact with and that he is patiently waiting for the day when he and his sweet
wife and wonderful boys will be together again, this time forever. I'm sure that
if Greg could have chosen for it to be otherwise, he would have chosen to stay
with his family here, but I suspect that there was something in the back of his
mind that "couldn't wait to get home."
Gale L. Wolfenbarger
25 August, 2001
Can't Wait to Get Home
When I was a boy my fondest joy was to roam the woods and
hills.
At camp I'd
stay for a chance to play and seek out fun and thrills.
But after a
week of hide and seek and exploring each hill and
dome,
I was
surprised to find, in the back of my mind, I couldn't wait to get
home.
I served
the Lord and taught His word when I received my mission call.
The songs were sung in the German tongue where I
gave the Lord my all.
Two years just flew as
they always do when you serve with a willing heart.
I'd
finished the work that I couldn't shirk, now the rest of my life I'd
start.
I
found a girl with golden curls and a smile that brightened my
life.
It took some time but I made her mine and she vowed to be my
wife.
What
joy we knew as the days just flew and our lives became as one.
We walked life's road and shared each load from morn' till day was
done.
Our
lives were blessed with the very best and we laughed until we
cried
And joy we found from every sound and everything we tried.
Now
life was gay but there came a day when even greater joy
Was ours to hold, when to our fold God sent a baby boy.
Then
two more times with love sublime our lives were blessed this
way.
As our family grew our love renewed with every passing day.
Boys
find ways, some people say, to make their parents scream.
Some days were well, I cannot tell but some were like a dream.
And
then one night I found with a fright that my breath would just not
come.
I lay for hours mid sheets and flowers and cried though my lips were
dumb.
After a week and all seemed bleak and I hadn't the breath
to moan
I was surprised to find, in the back of my mind, I couldn't wait to get
home.
Gale L.
Wolfenbarger
25 August, 2001
Copyright © 2008 Gale L. Wolfenbarger