Douglas Wayne Gisbrecht

 Douglas Wayne Gisbrecht 1954-2020 

 

Doug passed away September 29^th, 2020 at the age of 65. 

 

He was a former Coast Guard helicopter mechanic and a retired master tractor/heavy equipment truck mechanic who enjoyed motorcycles and time with friends.  He will be remembered as a strong man of loving intent who often hid his kindness with a rough exterior.  But those who knew Doug and shared moments with him will have many memories to recount, reflect upon and celebrate his life. 

 

He is preceded in death by his parents Richard and Thelma Gisbrecht and sisters Bobbie Ritchey and Dorothy Robison.  He leaves behind two sisters, Dale Miller (Stu) and Robin Hill (Jack) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

 

Although it is difficult today to see beyond the sorrow of Doug’s passing, may we look back in memory and see both the condolences and prayers of others to help us find some joy and comfort for tomorrows. 

A view from Within...!

Some years ago, I was out playing golf.  It was a sunny day and all was right with the world; however I was in one of those moods.  Perhaps you can relate, a little annoyed, a bit out of sorts and no matter how great the weather or circumstance, something, anything might become a source of annoyance.

I was joined that day by a young man named Tim.  Tim was a high school student who had a quick smile and a joyful attitude. He praised me, how I played golf and almost every shot I made seemed to delight and inspire Tim.  I couldn't understand, his response, for often I was not happy with my shots or my golf game.  I was often very moody and detached, but Tim seemed quite the opposite.

As our time went on, I started to feel silly about myself, about my attitude, about my approach to golf, and mostly, my behavior.

Tim had early stages of cereberal pasly, but he didn't seem to mind, he enjoyed his life, he enjoyed the opportunity to play golf, to be outside and to be with me.  He had difficulty at times walking from shot to shot, he often put tremendous effort into holding his club, and making the basic motions of a golf swing. Yet through all of this, he smiled, complimented me and mentioned how he intended to play on the high school golf team.

I still remember Tim, that day, my feelings and the priceless experience.  Often now,when I start to drift too far with my frustrations, my irritations, I recall his smile, his joy. I realize that I often look outside myself to see things as they should be- according to me.

Tim looked within, he saw joy and happiness and appreciated ever moment and every person, because he chose to do so.  I am still working to make that my choice as well. For Tim and others like him, I am grateful.

Happy Holidays well, Maybe Not?

The holidays have long been associated with happy times and pleasant thoughts. Somewhere in the past few years this association has become linked to stress, hurry and getting annoyed.

Gift giving and shopping has turned everyone including retailers into less than considerate, more concerned with moving product, processing orders and basically getting stuff out the door.

They push it out the door, we take it home and wrap it up for someone to use for the moment and then, the fretting begins about paying for all this mandated generosity.

What happened to good time, good cheer and general good will toward all. Perhaps Today only sales and 40% off coupons have diminished that general concept. Maybe giving an iPad Retina is now the only way left to show you care.

I know I was Right!

The mind seeks answers to questions, understanding, orientation, and knowledge.  But, it is less interested in truth.  What is “known” may not be true.  But the mind doesn’t care as long as it fills in the blanks of the unknown with an answer, any answer.  Most answers are plausible.  They can seem to make logical sense, as long as you accept whatever built-in assumptions there are that create the logic.  But, the assumption itself is a bias.  Most people don’t know what they assume to be true, because life-long concepts seem so valid and real that they go without saying and without question.

And here is where the mind can play tricks on us.  As it is looking for resolution to all tensions, answers to all questions, and all discrepancies explained, it makes it hard to see what it is we don’t know.  It also does something even worse, it gives us the impression we do know something that may not be true.  Yet we think, act, and relate as if it were.

 The mind can and should be trained to be fluent in reality.  But then again, Reality may not be the option your are seeking. And after all is said and done, what is reality anyway.

See, I knew I was right!

Auntie

Seems like so long ago and somewhere far away, we walked hand and hand.  Her as an adult caretaker, me as the bright eyed child.  We often took  trips and walked along the city streets. I remember moments chasing birds, being excited about bus rides to town and simply enjoying each time we were together in those early years.  Weather it was ice cream treats, chocolate chip cookies or late night popcorn snacks, Auntie was always there, showing a kind heart and helping hand.  A few years later and it was school lunches at Aunties house and then her helping with homework before my Mom arrived home from work.  She lived for years in the back of our home, a separate dwelling but always near, always ready to offer care and concern.

Yes, long ago and far away moments share and times remembered.  And today 98 years after her birth she died quietly in her sleep, home and in her bed, alone, but not so lonely as one might think. She is remembered for what she did and who she was so many years ago. So much time has now past, so many events and people have come and gone from both out lives.

With her passing is both the sorrow and regret. There is regret that we perhaps did not celebrate her more often for who she was and how we valued her presence in our life. The journey from child to adult put us far apart.  Although We often visited,it was however late in my  life, after so much time, so much history had passed between us. I am happy now we had some time these past years, to revisit her kindness.For it was a chance to change places and for awhile I had the opportunity to hold her hand and take her on short trips so we might assist and share times together - It was my turn -to be her caretaker.

 We hope God's embrace and loving care will comfort her and she will know how much we miss her and valued her. 

Auntie lived a long life, it is hard to find words to say what might have been left unsaid.
God Bless Auntie, we love you and thank you so much for....  you, your presence in my life.

Goodbye!

When someone dear to you passes, what can you do?

How do you respond, how do you deal with the sadness,the hurt, grief?

I can only ask the questions for I have no clear answers.

Perhaps the truth is in the understand of what has happened and how this will not change.

We all must leave this earth and in the passing of others there is both the

sadness of the moment and the wisdom of the experience.

And in the end, through all the hurt, all the sadness, the memories, the

regret, we are left with how we live. For the living part is how we make amends,

improve upon what was and what might have been. Since we can't go back

I don't know what else can be done. And when the end does come, may God embrace
us for who we have been,and what we had hoped to be.

Just Thinking

Getting older seems harder than I thought.  It sort of snuck up on me. I'm often bit more tired than times past, have a few more bumps and aches each day and sort of need a kick in the butt to keep my focus now and then.

Perhaps my biggest dissappointment has been who I am when I need myself the most.  I always tried to do things well, tried to consider others and mostly tried to learn from my mistakes.

It seems that is not always working as I planned.  It all too often feels that my actions do not always match my aspirations.  Through all of this it has been hard to see those you you know, loved and those that still remain dear in your life to be hurt or even diminished by my own faults and failings. 

I hope the lesson is to keep trying and to close the gap between who I aspire to be and who I am. At least those are my plans and my prayers at night. Just a thought.