Peter began losing weight and apparently having stomach pains.  He still showed up for services, with never a complaint. All he asked was that we pray for him. We did. . Except for that noticeable loss of weight, he looked healthy. He returned to church the Sunday after a scheduled biopsy.  By the following Sunday, while we were in church, our Pastor announced that Peter was back in the hospital. Peter died while we were at the service.  We did not find out until after the service.

Am I sorry that I did not stop and tell Peter how I appreciated his caring spirit? Yes, I am. But, I know that he now knows. He heard from Heaven, the verbal bouquets that circulated, as we celebrated his life at his memorial service.

It turns out that Peter’s early life was one of suffering. Many of us did not know of the trials and tribulations of those early times. His cheerfulness belied this. His family farm in Poland was confiscated by the Communists, as part of a policy of nationalization of private land. He was a mere boy when his family was sent to labor camps in Germany. He could have been forgiven if he had grown up to be a bitter adult. He was not. He would be the first to say that he and his family were fortunate to be able to immigrate to the US.  

They immigrated at a time when all immigrants expected was opportunity, not welfare. The following paragraph taken from the eulogy, encapsulates beautifully, the type of immigrant that America at one time was blessed to welcome.

 “The immigrants came with what little they could carry. Hard work and ingenuity made survival possible. Faith, grateful hearts, and courage kept them going in the midst of great hardship, with no knowledge of the English language and difficult circumstances. They persevered and prospered in their new land.  These were remarkable stories of life.”

Persevered they did. They learned the English language. They contributed to society.  They became a part of, not apart from that society. The times have certainly changed, in terms of the caliber of immigrants who now come to these shores. I wish that the new breed of immigrants could read about the life of Peter Karpik. This new breed could not help but be inspired. I am an immigrant myself, and I am inspired.

Thank you, Peter. By now you have heard “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Our congregation said “goodbye” to Peter and “Happy Birthday” to Lola. Lola reached her 94^th birthday on Saturday, 7/3/2010. I had her pegged at about 80 years old, 85 tops. Her birthday was announced in church. She stood up and told the pastor that she now had the floor. He yielded. “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets!” Lola succinctly and passionately gave us a short talk about her blessed life, which she attributed to God’s presence in her life from the beginning of her life to now 94 years later.

Her speech was not about Lola, but about how she was helped by angels in the form of neighbors, friends, and her church family, sent by God.  Personally, if I did not already know first-hand the wonderful God that we serve, Lola’s testimony would have inspired me to find out more about this God Who saw this lady through to 94 years, 94 years of looking well “preserved,” with still gorgeous skin, a strong speaking voice, recovering from a fall, and able to walk around unassisted.

I get to share a birth month with Lola, and she has now joined the other two ladies I want to be when I “grow up.” Prior to Lola, I had declared my intention to become like 10-year old Hannah and 86-year old Carolyn. Before anyone questions my judgment in wanting to emulate a 10-year old, one would need to meet this particular 10-year old.

Hannah is self-possessed (in a dignified, not self-centered manner). She is gorgeous inside and out. She loves God, family and country. She is bright (she won a Bible verses memory contest), and does very well in school. She is very talented. She plays the cello and has a beautiful singing voice.  Whenever there is Kids Fun Night at church, and the craft session comes up, not being an idiot, and without talent in crafts, I sit next to Hannah and copy her usually well-turned out piece of craft. I then bask in the praise for my Hannah-copied artwork! If Hannah can take the younger kids under her wings, then this slightly older, make that a heck of a lot older version, should be allowed to benefit also!

Carolyn, my other role model is a marvel. She really proves that age is just a number and not an infallible measure of an individual's anima. She is fighting physical ailments, most especially arthritis, yet she is a “demon” on the computer, in researching and disseminating any and all information, relevant to our beloved country. If I had to go into battle, I would want Carolyn watching my back. If she could not physically attack the enemy, she would wither that enemy by the ferocity and logic of her speech!

Lola spoke about her angels. As was Peter, she is one of my angels for her inspiration in setting a wonderful example of leading a God-filled and appreciative life. When it is her turn to depart this earthly realm, and selfishly I hope that it is not any time soon, like Peter, she will be greeted “well done, thou good and faithful servant!”


Peter & his grandsons