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Elder Perry’s cancer had spread. He is home and will be receiving hospice care starting next week. I didn’t agree with him on some things, but I always got the sense that he truly cares about people.
I love the story he tells about his time in post-war Japan – when he and a minority of the guys rebuilt the churches instead of carousing with local girls. All the Americans were on the train in the end to leave and the Japanese girlfriends were there to see off some of the men. At almost the last minute here come all the church people in a little group to say thank you and goodbye. He talks about the joy he felt at having served them. (I hope I have the details right. That’s the way I remember it.)
It seemed to be a huge defining moment for him, and for some reason me, too.
I saw that on the Salt Lake Tribune. I do feel he is a good man. I do respect him.
Hospice sounds rather bleak, actually. It’s more of a palliative approach in general. I don’t totally agree with much of what Elder Perry says, either, but I did meet him when I was a missionary and he does seem like a fairly nice guy. I actually admire his health and stamina for his age – he’s the oldest of the bunch and before this event was far healthier appearing than the others close to him in age and even some younger than he. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that there will be several new apostles in the next 5 years. If I did pray, I’d pray that they’re more like Uchtdorf than Bednar.
They don’t do emeritus status for apostles, do they? Pallimed did a beautiful presentation a few years back using Death Cab For Cutie’s song “What Sarah Said”. The song is about dying in ICU, and it sounds very distant and mechanical. As the song ended, pallimed changed it a bit. Each musical instrument suddenly represented a piece of medical equipment or a body process. As death approached, some instruments stopped, others slowed down. Finally, all ended and the song was over. The end. I would share it .. But it doesn’t seem to be available online anymore. In its simplicity, it was one of the best commentaries on hospital death I have ever see .
It was a wonderful reminder that even in the midst of the most intensive treatment, the body will stop. Death does arrive.
I am thrilled the Perry is going home with hospice. What a wise decision. He gets to die at home, surrounded by loving people and familiar things, while being kept pain free .. That is a blessing.
My former Bishop just texted me and said that they were informed a few minutes ago in a leadership meeting that Elder Perry has passed away. God be with his family. My favorite philosopher, Morrie Schwartz, on death.
Quote:Death ends a life, not a relationship
Quote:To learn how to die, you have to learn how to live
Quote:Maybe death is the great equalizer, the one thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another
RIP
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