May. 21, 2008 - Vincent Mandino: December 13, 1959---May 11, 2008
This past week and a half has, by far, been the longest of my life. My Mother's Day (May 11th) was shattered with news of Steve's brother Vincent dying of a heart attack at his workplace earlier that day. His wife Mae came to our house and delivered the news personally. Steve's parents (Vincent's mom and step-dad) were visiting for the holiday weekend as we usually do a special dinner for Mother's Day. We were all shellshocked but thankful that we were all together for support.
Vincent was 48 when he passed away. He lived a rough life involving substance abuse and several stints of jail time. We loved him anyway. He was rough and gruff but was a real softie inside. Steve had made it a point to witness to him from the time that he was a young boy because he was concerned for his big brother who was always in trouble. It all started with a dream that Steve felt the Lord gave him when he was 11 or so about his brother dying when he was 32. As often as Vincent would listen, Steve would share with him that he needed to get right with the Lord. Vincent would always tell him that He understood what Steve was saying but that he wasn't ready yet. He would say, "Little brother, I've done some really bad stuff. I'm trying to do better." Steve would say that God loved him the way he was but he was pretty knuckleheaded (it runs in the family!!!). Needless to say, Vincent didn't die when he was 32 but we calculated it up and it has been 32 years since Steve's dream. Interesting.
Vincent began hoving trouble with his heart about 12 or so years ago (give or take) and had two heart attacks over the course of those years. He had several surgeries to put in stints and whatnot.
Last Thanksgiving was the last time that we saw him and we learned that he was going back to jail for a while. He was released April 18th and he immedietly went back to work not even a half hour before he had gotten home. He worked hard to take care of his family. His wife Mae had been having trouble with working and keeping bills payed so he was happy to be home taking care of them again. He loved working as hard as his body would allow. He had not even been home for a month before he died.
On Mother's Day, as I lay in bed, not really praying but just talking to the Lord, I expressed that I had hoped with Vincent's dying breath that he finally accepted the gift of salvation and I had a sort of vision flash through my mind of Vincent praying and praising God with his hands in the air. I felt a sense of peace and fell asleep shortly afterwards.
All the next day I wanted to share my "vision" with Steve but there was never a proper moment. When he came into the house where I was working in the kitchen he told me that he had found out a lot more of the details of the whole thing. He explained that they had found Vincent lying on his back on the floor with his socks and shoes off, his shirt partly lifted and his hands lifted over his head. Because of the way he lay there, they had at first suspected foul play since it was a rather unnatural position for a person having a heart attack to die. At that point I told Steve of the "vision" that I had and we were both so happy. A few days later Steve had the opportunity to share the story with Mae and she was really excited too. Their son Anthony was happy beyond words because he had been really concerned for his dad as well. Mae had been really confused about him having his hands raised that way and her mind was then set at ease. All signs pointed to a heart attack and the coroner agreed--but that was the one thing that didn't make sense. Now it does.
The funeral on Monday (the 19th) was beautiful. Our friend Chuck and his family came out from Virginia to officiate the service. Chuck had known Vincent from when they both were working for our business.
The cemetary where Vincent is burried is right down the road from a place where his family used to go swimming in the summer and he loved that area. It is a beautiful place and very peaceful--as a cemetary should feel.
We will be working with Mae to get her on her feet and be her support for as long as she needs us. She will need someone to come alongside her as she raises her two children left at home--Anthony (who is 15 or 16) and Rosemarie (who is 5 and was the apple of her daddy's eye).
I will miss Vincent. I miss his big booming laugh, his down to earth ways and the love he wasn't afraid to show for his family. I regret that we didn't get to see him again but, providing that my vision was correct, we will meet again in Glory someday.
Comments
May. 23, 2008 - Praising with you~
Posted by teena6
So thankful for your vision.... praying for all of you during this time.
Thanks for sharing.
blessings,
Teena
May. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by teena6
Wanted to let you know my mom died on Sunday the 25th..... I am down here at my cousins now. I am numb.
continueing to pray for you.
May. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by teena6
Looking in your photo album.... great pics! So how old is Scott now? Is he married.... and how about Josh? Sarah is how old now, that is a beautiful pic of her.
Mandi is back home from YWAM.... I think I told you that.... waiting to see what God has in store for her. Michael & Amber doing well... helped lots lately while mom was sick.
Give me an update on your family.... I am up late... on my cousins computer so couldn't email. Can't sleep... you know me the night owl.... LOL
Blessings,
Teena
