Posted on 10/01/2021 8:03:22 AM PDT by rebuildus
Note: My sister Suz Montgomery is suffering with–short of a miracle–the end-stage of cancer. I understand that she is at a point where she may not understand this message, but I am sending it anyway, for her, and with the hope that any lessons learned here can help the reader too.
If Suz is unable to hear this message, I hope that someone reads it to her. Perhaps my niece Lisa can. I understand Lisa has essentially put her life on hold to care for her mother at this time. This is so admirable. Thank you, Lisa!
Suz is well known in the Ventura, California area as a community activist, senior advocate, and media personality. A local paper, the VC (Ventura County) Reporter, just published a story about her, based on a recent in-person interview. See the report HERE.
I live across the country from Suz, and due to a political spat during the last election (I supported Trump, Suz can’t stand him!), we have had very little communication over the past year or so. Our conversations about politics were fairly brief, as I recall, and respectful. They weren’t arguments. However, I did get into a brief email tussle with her husband John that I wish I had followed up better.
And at this point, due to Suz’s condition and perhaps the residue of unpleasantness from our past tangle, having a telephone call doesn’t appear likely. Plus, frankly I don’t know that I’d be able to say all that I wish to. I need to say some things publicly too, as I hope they will be useful to the reader.
Politics has become a form of war, which both Suz and I understand. We are both “warriors” for our respective positions. Americans are so divided today, and we see things through completely different lenses. But it reminds me of the Bible admonition to “hate the sin, but love the sinner.”
We tend to see our political opponents as irredeemable sinners.
I’ve never hated my sister, but I did get a bit too dug in during the political “war.” I do regret that.
You may be able to relate to this, as we all have differences with family members.
And now, let me address Suz directly…
Dear Suz,
I miss talking with you. I miss hearing the family updates. I regret separating myself from you and others in the family because of our differences. I did not handle that with maturity. Separation was the easy way out.
I pray for you, and won’t pretend that I know what you’re going through.
We’re really not all that different, you and me. Both rebels. Both fighters. We just fight for different things.
I want to tell you how much I appreciated you watching out for me when I was growing up. I don’t think I ever told you that.
I know the shock of losing your father at a young age shaped your life, and that taking on a step-father (my dad) was undoubtedly quite tough for you. And I know that you held some things against my dad, and perhaps our mother too for not sticking up for you. We had planned on meeting to discuss this, and honestly, I don’t know what happened, but for some reason we never did.
Whatever your step-dad may have done, I hope that you have forgiven him. We’ve talked about this before, and you said you have. I don’t want to doubt you, but sometimes there are things we don’t see. I just want to encourage you to let all judgments go if you haven’t yet, so that you can be at peace.
One reason I bring this up today, is that in the VC Reporter article (link above), you told the reporter, “Sometimes I think about how much easier it would have been if I hadn’t been such an angry woman; it’s what fuels me.”
Believe me, I understand that anger and the war is not completely over in my own soul, yet slowly I am letting go of judgment against those who have hurt me. I hope that you have let the anger go.
Suz, you’ve prided yourself on having a memory like an elephant. I don’t know if you used that phrase, but you get the idea 🙂 . It has served you well in the sense of knowing so much of our family history. I don’t think anyone knows as much of our family history as you. But a strong memory can be a curse too, when many of our memories involve traumas.
We are encouraged so much to remember–and yet forgetting can be a true blessing!
Suz, I know that you have little time left on this earth, unless God chooses to do a miracle, which I always believe is possible. If you do have to go, I will remember all that is good in you, and forget the rest! I know that you have had a great impact on so many, particularly seniors. Your relationship was not so great with your mother and stepdad, and perhaps this was a way that you felt you could make amends.
Your example will cause me to be more effective in every area of my life, and I am grateful for that. “Effective” is your middle name!
Your family and community well appreciate your hard work and tenacity on their behalf, and are also grateful.
And believe me, I agree that our political leaders mostly care about money and power–no matter their political party. I will do all I can to hold them to caring about the People again. That’s a promise.
I love you (as you always said to me), your brother…
Patrick
Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. He communicates clearly and fearlessly during perilous times about natural health, success, and freedom. To reach Patrick, email him at info@oldschoolus.com.
I loved Ventura, once; unfortunately, it like so many other California cities has become a "bedroom community" for much MUCH larger cities; and the whole flavor of the city has changed, IMHO, NOT for the good.
But that is another discussion for another day.
BTW, do you have a brother named Mike?
Best to you and yours, Patrick, and Godspeed.
CC
We inform and reinforce each other, hopefully to instill verbiage we can use with the Suze's of the nation.
I dare say, even with the bumbling bidet administration, there's not enough of an army to foist a winning skirmish against the enemy.
I confess to being caught betwixt the two ... our enemy is not flesh and blood, but flesh and blood is used to be our enemy.
Ephesians 6:12
King James Version
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Where I live, we just said goodbye to a woman who had battled cancer for years. She was 73. Ladies at our church volunteered to give Leigh 24-hour care for the final two weeks. It was wonderful to see the ladies demonstrate Christ’s love in those final days.
Leigh had used her cancer experience as a way to reach others with the gospel. Many of the people she talked to were so scared because they knew it might be the end of their lives.
Yet, for those who believe in Jesus, death is not an ending but a transition to a new and better life. Leigh submitted cheerfully to the Lord even as her body was giving out. It was a powerful testimony.
I hope my words are helpful to you.
Suz was an ANGRY WOMAN, in her own words!!! Not any way to go thru life......especially if you make OTHER people angry!
Turn to Jesus, Suz.
Fear paralyzes, anger makes us ill.
I hope you all find peace.
“hate the sin, but love the sinner” is a popular phrase these days but is not in the Bible, FYI.
Prayers for her health and her soul.
Thank you, fieldmarshaldj!
“Suz was an ANGRY WOMAN, in her own words!!! Not any way to go thru life......especially if you make OTHER people angry!
Turn to Jesus, Suz.”
True. And there are A LOT of angry men and women in this world—both liberal AND conservative
Thank you, OrangeHoof. Yes, your words are helpful indeed!
Prayers for your sister and family.
To PAtrick Rooney: Get fenbendazole to your sister asap. It cannot hurt her now and it just may stop the cancer and allow her immune system to recover control. Please, give it a try.
Sorry....I do not agree with you. MOST conservatives have Jesus or at least GOD in their lives......NO LIBERALS DO!!
Thank you, will check out
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