John Dixon/The News-Gazette Steven Shoemaker, a retired pastor who attends the Philo Presbyterian Church, wrote a letter to the editor saying the Philo church leaders would be discussing hosting a syrian refugee family, despite Gov. Bruce Rauner’s stance on the issue. Shoemaker was photographed at his home in south of Urbana on Wednesday Nov. 25, 2014.
But when…
But when will you die? asked my two kids.
In sleep, my Doc said, are the best odds.
But I will not die,
I’ve propped open each eye,
But the toothpicks keep hurting my eyelids!
- Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, 11:58 p.m., Feb. 11, 2016
Two hours after Steve posted this on his CaringBridge page, one of his old friends with an equal sense of sardonic humor commented:
I think it is sly
to prop open each eye
and frustrate the doctor’s prognosis
What a wonder to see
that the powers that be
can be limited in their diagnosis
Death and dying are NOT fun or funny, but humor is one of God’s greatest gifts.
- Gordon C. Stewart, Chaska, MN, Feb. 12, 2016