Promoted to Heaven

Kregg died in a hospice on June 16, 2011. Although he had many visitors everyday, he died alone. I know he wanted to be alone. He wouldn't have wanted anyone to see him go. He would have felt like that would have been a burden on someone. He never wanted to be a burden to anyone.
My brother Kevin prepared and presented a beautiful tribute as pastor and brother to Kregg at a graveside service the morning of Saturday, June 18th. Kregg was honored and buried by his family and close friends at Milton Fields in Milton, Georgia.
Kregg's battle with cancer required much faith and courage and he showed us just how much he had. He lived longer than any of the doctors anticipated. Today we will live our lives with memories of Kregg in our hearts and I pray all of us will have more faith and courage because of how he lived his life.

Written by my sister Kelly

So I took a few days to get away with the kids. I needed a break. I needed to take some time to breath and get some air. Many of you have asked how my brother Kregg is doing. He as you know was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer 2 years ago in July. He has fought hard. He has done everything the doctors asked him to do. But in March they finally said, there is nothing left ~ no medicine, no treatments, nothing can prolong the inevitable. The news came the day before his 52nd birthday. And so for the last few months he went home and has been living his life. Quietly and with far more contentment than I can guess I would have in the same situation. The week after Easter, his health started to really decline. A few weeks ago he entered hospice care. My 5 other brothers and sisters all gathered together on my birthday and we celebrated at the hospice. My sister Kim from Michigan was there. Kevin came from Tampa. It was a good night. Kregg smiled. He enjoyed the attention and the company. We talked. We laughed and at the end of the evening we stood in his room, held hands and my brother Kevin led us in prayer. I think . . . no I know it was the first time we ever prayed together (aside from our dinner time prayers of course ~ and even then I am not sure we were all ever together to do that). It was a sweet and wonderful evening. A gift I will always cherish. So now a few weeks later (that was May 23rd), Kregg has declined quite a bit. He is thin. No really really thin. He sleeps most of the time and doesn't speak a lot. He gets a significant amount of pain medicine and some days he doesn't even know who I am. It's been a few days since I have been there (I had endeavored to go every day, but finally realized, I can only do what I can do). So I took the time. I am thankful for my sister Sue who is here and who has been amazing in Kregg's journey. Tomorrow morning I will go back and see my brother. I don't know what I will find. I don't know if he will know I came. It doesn't matter really. I always go thinking it may be the last time. It is sad. But I know he is heading to a great place. He didn't live a life of grandeur here, but he will in Heaven. I don't know when God will bring him home, but in all honestly I hope it is sooner than later ~ for his sake. I will tell you, it is hard to watch. It is sad. It is so hard. It is an emotional roller coaster. But there is hope and I know it. And so does Kregg. I don't think he is worried about what will happen to him the second his heart stops beating. Do I think he wanted to die so young? You better believe he didn't. It is his story though and one we all have a part in. I tell you all of this not for your pity or sorrow. This journey has been a blessing in so many ways. I know Kregg would say that too. I tell you this to give you an update ~ because you wonder and you have asked. We have become a better and stronger family through this. I am so thankful to my parents who created an environment for 6 kids to work together for 1 - it has brought us closer. So in summary, please pray for Kregg - that his pain would be minimal. Pray for my parents. I can't comprehend how hard it would be to lose a child - no matter the age. Pray for Kregg and pray for all of us that we may continue to make the right choices regarding his care. Pray for my brother Kris, who is losing not only his brother but his very best friend in the world. Honestly, it is him who I worry about the most. But I know . . . God's ways are bigger. They are higher. He has a plan and I trust Him completely. I don't need to worry about my other brother. I need to trust in the one who created them both and loves them far more than I ever could. And I do. 

Hospice

Kim, Kris, Kregg, K. Sue, Kevin and Kelly
May 23, 2011
Hospice, Cumming, GA 

Happy Birthday

Tomorrow is Kregg's 52nd birthday. Today he returns to the doctor to hear if there are any more radiation or chemotherapy options for the new cancer they have found in his brain. It has been two years since his first diagnosis. He has done extremely well considering all the treatment he has had. He is able to live with my brother Kris and has been able to live his normal life. The survival rate for his type of cancer at two years is 30% so we feel extremely blessed that God has answered our prayers for protection and healing. He has a family that loves him and we believe that God is in control. This brings us much peace. We celebrate Kregg's birthday with much gratitude to God for his 52 years with us.