September of 1972 and the day was rather warm. I was at home waitin to go to work the evening shift as a police officer. Wife, I and our 2 young sons were living at Vandalia, IL at the time. The phone rang about 4:30 pm and I answered it. It was ole Jeep, next older brother, calling to tell me our younger brother Frank had been hurt on the job. He was working at the new Olney Central College during construction. Jeep said that Frank had been hit in the head and was at the hospital. Didn't know how bad it was but didn't think it was too serious. Said he'd call back when he found out more. About 10 minutes later he called back and dropped the bomb. Frank was DEAD! Talk about devestating news! My inlaws were visiting that particular day and decided to take the boys home with'm until we could get things straightened out. Of course, I called in work and told'm I'd be off for a spell. Wife and I loaded up and drove back down here. About an hours drive and I remember nothing of it. For the next 3 or 4 days life just stopped for the entire Gibson family. Almost overwhelming and uncontrolled grief was our constant companion for the next several days and nights. Frank was just 24 yrs old, married, just home from the Air Force and preparing to go back to college and get his degree. One of the best banjer pickers I'c ever heard and then to be struck down in the prime of his young life. A piece of equipment that had a crack in a holding arm and ignored by the company, had failed. A loaded concrete pumping boom had fell just as he stepped under it. It took 60 men just to get it off. The entire Gibson family was then and are still-Christians. If we had not been the pain would've been too much. We continued on with heads bowed and broken hearts-but we made it. Gods Grace was/is sufficient. As I sit here now, after all those years, I can still feel the pain of recollecting those dark days. My nephew [jeeps son] has Franks old Gibson Mastertone 5 string banjo and it certainly brings back the memories to hear him pick it. We all have hope of meeting again when we walk the streets of pure gold. To be with Jesus Christ and all our loved ones is a day thats coming and we'll rejoice around the Throne of Grace then. Glory to His name! I've felt led to post this particular story and I don't know why. To make anybody feel bad is certainly not my intentions. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 18, 2000

Answers

Thank you for sharing.....what a touching story.

-- Karen (karlog@rocketmail.com), August 18, 2000.

Hoot,

Thanks for posting that and Bless you. What a painful story, yet you shared how your faith in God brought you all through it. Hoot... I get feelings like that too, can't explain why but just feel the need to say or write something. Think a preacher in chruch once called it the identifying spirit.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), August 18, 2000.

Franks widow later remarried to a fine young man who later became a preacher of the Word. He died a few years ago in a grain bin accident. She went on to get her degree in Ag and is teaching in a High School now. I think she's had here share of troubles too. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 18, 2000.

Mr./Ms Hoot, I am touched by your verbal pain. I too, have suffered the physical loss of family members. Seems my whole family dropped physical demise, before my earthly eyes. At least my (only) younger sister came back in the aftermath, in her frothy form, to sit across a table from me, to offer a semi physical presence. The story is long and boring, there was her children involved. Story is unique. Guess you had to be there.

-- My Story (andI@sticking.com), August 24, 2000.

Hoot, Thanks for sharing with us. I am the youngest or 8 kids, 2 sisters and 5 brothers. Our first loss was when one of my brothers was killed in the Korean Conflict on Heartbreak Ridge in 1951. Now, I've only 1 brother and 1 sister left. You must guess that I share the same feelings of loss as you. Likewise, I share the same future of the golden streets and praising Him around the throne. I'm so looking forward to seeing Jesus. Thanks again for the post. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), August 24, 2000.

Hi Hoot! Thanks for sharing that touching story.Praise God for the hope we have in Him!!! In Jesus,~~Tracy~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), August 25, 2000.