Mr Bob: Heaven Became Even More Beautiful Today

mrs. ila & mr. bob mcmillian | 2011

Over the past several months, Joe and I have immersed ourselves wholly in our church. We've met some of the best people this area has to offer, and through it all, we've grown in ways we hadn't expected, but welcome and cherish.

One of those paths brought us to meeting the McMillians. Mr. Bob & Mrs. Ila were one of the first of the elder couples in our church to greet us with big smiles and welcoming words on just the first Sunday Joe and I visited together. I won't forget it because I so often find senior couples so plainly endearing and genuine; Mr. Bob & Mrs. Ila were the exact embodiment of that sentiment, and it was clearly evident that their presence was a strong footprint on the members of this church.

I regret that we didn't have more time to develop a strong relationship with Mr. Bob. This isn't one of those apologies prompted by today's events, but rather because of the testimony I've seen on the faces and in the eyes of everyone who had the opportunity to know him deeply. In just the short time I did know him, I know that Mr. Bob was a spiritual force and was surely welcomed with due celebration this morning...

... At 4:00 AM this morning, Mr. Bob McMillian was ushered back home to be with our Lord, for the rest of time, with the loved ones who've gone before us. He had endured a tenacious battle with Leukemia, but maintained a joyful spirit in the midst of a trying storm. His enthusiasm for pursuing Christ remained unwavering; I'm humbled by his determination to continue encouraging others during what was surely the most tribulating moments of his life, but moreso by the amount of life he exuded in the last few weeks of his. Like I said, I wasn't one of those blessed with the intimate relationship so many others had with Mr. Bob, but let that stand for testament on just how far his spirit reached out.

I was, however, blessed with the faith of our pastor and church deacons to create something timeless in honor of and now in memory of Mr. Bob. It was my honor and a real privelege to take part in creating this, which I can only hope will serve as even a glimpse of a reminder of what Mr. Bob meant to so, so many people. 

honoring mr. bob & mrs. ila mcmillian :
compilation of blurbs from each of the church deacons,
structured into a shape noteworthy of the life he lived.
♥

Today we mourn the loss of Mr. Bob, and stand together: strong yet tenderly at Mrs. Ila's side, but we also celebrate with the heavens in his homecoming. We will see you again one day!!

xo | cmd