Greatness in God's Eyes

My father (Cecil Warburton) died on 17th September 2008.

It was sudden because he was rushed into hospital only two weeks previously and we had no idea what was wrong. He had many symptoms and was under investigation from the Doctor and awaiting hospital appointments. While in Hospital he was diagnosed with Lymphoma the Doctors gave us no more information other than that. He became desperately ill in that very short time, and they could do nothing but make him comfortable.

It was his desire to come home, and we did all we could with the help of the hospital team, but he slipped into a coma. On the day he was due home he died, in the early hours of the morning. He was eighty-eight.

We left the hospital in the early hours of that morning. Martyn (my husband) and our son Jamie. When we reached home I opened the door to my fathers room, I knew that I couldn't close it again. Do not make this room a tomb came to my mind. Later I placed a note on the door. Do not make this room a tomb, leave the door wide open and “rejoice I am in heaven”

The days flew by and none of it seemed real. All the preparation for his funeral, contacting relatives and friends kept us very busy. I would not allow myself time to think or miss him because that was to painful. I turned to the Lord for strength and comfort, He immediately came to my aid and answered my prayers.

I thank God for Martyn who has been my rock, and my children Jamie, Christopher, and Selina who were there for there grandad in those last few days

When it came to the preparation for dads funeral thoughts returned about my mother who had died only four years previously from a rare and deadly degenerative brain disease, involving the progressive death of neurons (nerve endings) in the brain, the cause unknown, and there is, as yet, no effective treatment and no known cure. PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) affects progressively a patient’s vision, balance, mobility, speech and ability to swallow. It can also cause personality changes and behavioural problems.
As it progresses, wheelchair and other mobility aids may be required, with tube feeding and twenty four hour nursing care, in the later stages, all of which applied to mum. It was in the later stages I gave up work to help my father take care of her. His dedication care and love was abounding, I was so proud of him the task of taking care of her was enormous. 

Dad loved writing and was very competent on the typewriter with poetry, articles and lastly finishing his book. 

For my mums funeral he wrote and read this poem

                                          TO MY DEAREST PEGGY

                                           We had a lovely marriage.
                                           Gave it our very all.
                                           Together over fifty years
                                           Till that eventful fall.

                                           My darling wife afflicted.
                                           Paralyzed from head to foot.
                                           A rare decease that struck her down,
                                           Put our lives in a rut.

                                           Thank God we had the Bible.
                                           Without it there’s no hope.
                                           Its pages full of wisdom,
                                           Showed us how to cope.

                                           There was no cure for Peggy.
                                           This thing attacks the brain.
                                           The slow deterioration,
                                           Caused us enormous strain.


                                                               ***                                                         
                                                           


                                            A faithful wife and mother,
                                            She gave us all she had.
                                            Now that she’s with her Savior,
                                            Our hearts are oh, so glad.

                                            The Bible says we’ll join her.
                                            It may not be so long.
                                            We’re waiting for the Lords return,
                                            To put right all that’s wrong.

                                            He’ going to build his Kingdom,
                                            Right here upon the earth.
                                            What a lovely blessing,
                                            A new world at its birth.

                                            And we’ll be there together.
                                            A family once again.
                                            Joining all our loved ones,
                                            In a world that’s free from pain.

                                            No more cruel ailments,
                                            To dominate mankind.
                                            All will be fit and healthy,
                                            With no one sick or blind.

                                            Give praise unto our Saviour,
                                            His sacrifice for sin.
                                            We thank him for his guidance,
                                            On the way to life, to win.

                                            To give our Lord true worship,
                                            Forever we shall do.
                                            And in return, eternal life,
                                            He’ll give to me and you.

He was a father in a million. A wonderful husband to my mother, he loved her in a way I had never seen before.

A wonderful grandad and uncle. A friend to many. He wasn't famous, a great preacher, a prince among men, but he was-                                      

                                      "GREAT IN GOD'S EYES"

There are no words that can express just how much we miss him.

Janice.