Brother Holland

A very dear man at church passed away Monday evening. Ralph Holland was his name and I can truly say he will be missed.  Brother Holland always had some kind of candy in his pocket for my girls.  Whether it was peppermint or Tootsie Rolls or those little Peanut Butter crunchy things.  They would watch for him to come in and run to hug him and get their treat.  I had to caution them not to knock him down when they ran at him like a herd of buffalo.  He was a very sweet and gentle man and when he spoke out in class and made a comment you knew you better shut up and listen.  He was wise and knowledgable in the Bible and I am glad to have known him for the short time we did.  I am sad for his wife Ruth.  I cannot imagine how hard it must be for her to know she has lost her best friend and the person she has been with day and night for so many years.  We are praying for the whole family; Lynn and Laurie and all their kids as well.  To lose a parent is very difficult.  You always wonder if you remembered to say the things that mattered.