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- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Death / Heartbreak / Loss
- Published: 09/11/2021
The Cost is High
Born 1955, F, from Lovelock, Nevada, United States"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." ( Job 1: 21)
While Lester and his brother Chester were fishing. Lester noticed a small nodule that was associated with the beginning of a rash beneath his skin. It didn't look serious enough to end the fishing trip. Lester popped the small nodule with a fishhook and continued fishing.
When they returned home the boys presented their mother with a string of fish. Lester told his mama about the small bump he found. He said it was most likely an insect bite. it wasn't any cause for concern.
Lilly inspected the area where Lester said that he had popped the bump. Lilly noticed several nodules. The bumps just beneath the skin looked like flea bites. The rash looked like prickly heat to her. Her son looked very healthy.
She had no idea what could have caused this. Whatever this mysterious injury was, it did not look serious. So, she instructed her son to bathe, to prepare for bed. As she applied an ointment to the bumps she thought Lester felt warm when she touched him.. She assessed the circumstances , she decided it wasn't serious enough to call the doctor. Whatever this was , she didn't think it was serious enough to send for Morgan.
The rash nodules disappeared in days. Lester wasn't itching. He hadn't itched any since contracting the lesions. She believed the worst of this mysterious ailment was over.
Lily did not know or suspect her son had Rheumatic fever. She had no idea the innocent looking bumps would result in Rheumatic heart disease. She had no knowledge of Rheumatic fever or the consequences that would develop.
Lester wasn't complaining . His mother was unaware of his swollen joints, his elevated fever, and how tired he was. Lester had been home for a week with the symptoms of a cold or the flu. He was eager to return to school. Lilly saw no reason to keep him home. Her twelve year old had all the signs of arthritis.
What she had dismissed as an ordinary sore throat four or five weeks earlier had, in fact, been a streptococcal throat infection. She treated Lester's sore throat as any mother would.
In the weeks since the sore throat she had noticed some moodiness in her son but nothing so great as to alarm anyone. He was still the obedient respectful son she and Morgan were raising him to be.
Lester was gradually losing control of his hands and Feet. The symptoms were mild and went undetected. Lester wasn't complaining. Lilly dismissed the symptoms as normal adolescent clumsiness.
Her family and friends assured her it was normal, all twelve year olds go through this phase. She accepted their word for it.
What was happening to Lester was nerve inflammation (Sydenham's chorea) in medical terminology . Lilly didn't know. She had no way of knowing the discomfort her child was in. Lester wasn't complaining. He was excited about being able to return to class.
His first day back in class the teacher asked Lester to chase another child who was running to escape punishment. Lester readily obeyed the teacher. Because Lester ran chasing the student Chester chased the student too. The brothers were alike yet different.
Lester outran his brother. there wasn't anything unusual about that.
if Chester had put his heart into the chase , If he had been able to keep up, There would have been a witness to Lester's fatigue. Chester may not have known why his brother lacked his normal energy but he would have known Lester wasn't himself. He could have and would have told someone.
The teacher, the other students, someone would have been watching Lester more closely.
Lester could not tell anyone his chest was hurting. He was unable to say he couldn't breathe. The shortness of breath was crippling him. If Chester had been faster he would have been able to alert someone that his brother was having serious trouble.
Only a doctor with a stethoscope could have possibly detected the tell tale signs of a heart murmur. or the excessive rapid heartbeat Lester had developed. Then even this is doubtful.
Chester knew something was wrong. Lester was in serious trouble. If they had not been at school Chester would have ran to his brother which he did. He would have ran to the saw mill to get his daddy. He would have run home screaming "Mama, Lester needs you." There was so much Chester could have done, if he had not been ten years old and waiting for permission or some adult to take the lead.
The teacher was concerned. She noticed Lester was taking an unusually long time to recover from the exertion. Which was not normal for him. His face remained pale. This wasn't normal. It was obvious Lester was experiencing trauma. The teacher contributed what she observed as Lester had returned to class prematurely. She sent Lester and Chester home.
Chester was asked to update the teacher on his brother's health. The illness was upsetting the class.
Lilly placed Lester in bed. Then she sent Chester back to school. She sent a message, Lester will be in bed for today. Tomorrow he will return to school.
When Lester did not return to his class. The teacher requested permission to tutor him in his home. Lilly consented. The teacher was there every afternoon tutoring Lester. She was going above the duty of any teacher.
This sickness was temporary. Lilly said it to herself. She said it to the family, to the neighbors. She said it in every prayer she prayed. Lilly said Lester was returning so frequently she began to believe it. She believed even in the face of contradictory evidence. God would not take her son. He just wouldn't.
In time it was clear, Lester wasn't responding to treatment. Lilly sent Chester to the saw mill. Tell your daddy I need him home as soon as possible. Lester has taken a turn for the worst. I want your daddy here.
Morgan saw Chester coming toward the mill. He immediately dropped everything and ran to meet his son. Chester struggled with the words Lester is worse. Mama needs you home.
He shouted come on son, your mama needs us. Two of his coworkers cut him in route. They asked Morgan how they could help. He sobbed , it's Lester . Bring the doctor to my house immediately. Lilly, I, we can't lose our boy.
The community school was at recess when Morgan shouted it's Lester, bring the doctor to my house now !
The teacher shouted Class dismissed. The teacher raced toward the Lee home with a majority of the class racing behind her and in front of her.
The doctor said Lester had a Rheumatic heart. He explained that the Rheumatic fever must have progressed very rapidly. It may have been preceded by a strep infection in his throat or Scarlet fever.
Lester has Rheumatic heart disease. And there is inadequate medical resources available. Bed rest is the only thing we can do. Keep the boy comfortable. He is in God's hands now. You should hope and pray for the best while preparing yourselves for the worst.
The teacher apologized saying, " if I had known, if I'd even suspected Lester had a heart condition I would have never asked him to chase that child. I could have done the job myself. I am so sorry. Mister and Mrs. Lee, can you ever forgive me ?
Morgan shouted " the boy isn't dead. He has simply taken a turn for the worse. The doctor is here for his mother's comfort. My son is strong and he will recover from this fever, this heart condition.
The doctor came three more times before he told Morgan, your son, Lester, is dying. I'm sorry there is nothing more I can do. I'm so sorry . This is the worst I said you should prepare for.
Lilly is the patient now. This isn't easy for me to say, Lilly is less than one month from her due date. She shouldn't attend the funeral . it could harm her unborn child. I want your wife on complete bed rest until the baby comes.
Doctor i want you to save Lilly, I beg you to save her and the baby but save
Lilly at all costs. I can save them both but I require strict obedience to my instructions.
The doctor repeated " I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." As he tipped his hat and left.
He was sorry. With his knowledge and the medical technology at his disposal, he might as well be practicing in some third world country. If the illness had been detected and treated sooner perhaps, with the grace of God, Lester might have survived. The parents didn't know . The necessary antibiotics were not available not in extreme southern Forests County.
The Aftermath :
For Lilly, forgiving the teacher, accepting her heartfelt apology was easier than forgiving herself. She was the boy's mother. It was her responsibility to know when something wasn't right with her child. She should have been more attentive .
Lilly cried ,if I had called the doctor the day the rash, the nodules were first seen, if she'd been a paranoid over protective mother she might still have her first born. This Procrastination cost Lester his life. This sorrow would stay with her until her dying day.
Lilly said, if I'd sent for the doctor and Morgan when the teacher sent Lester home from school. Her son might have returned to school just as she said he would. She could have sent for the doctor anytime especially when Lester wasn't responding as quickly as she thought he should. She should have known. She should have responded differently.
All of the pain and suffering her family had gone through, it was all her fault. Everything since Lester's last day at school was punishment from God. God was punishing her for calling her sister Mattie a scarlet woman. She failed to show compassion. Mattie had lost her child, her husband, and her home. God was allowing her to feel what her sister was surely feeling.
The night Lester died Lilly swore her son came and sat on the side of her bed. Lester kissed her and asked his mother if she was OK. Those around her tried to convince Lilly that she was dreaming or that the grief had produced hallucination. In her mind. Lester was dead. They told her that the dead do not come back. Lilly knew what she saw. She knew Lester's voice and she felt his kiss.
Yes, 2 Corinthians 5:8 does not lie." To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." The Lord sent Lester back to comfort me. The child in my womb is another Lester.
Lilly, your unborn baby isn't Lester. Reincarnation The Church doesn't believe in the dead being brought back as another person. You're exhausted and sick from the ordeal you've been through. Shh ! Get some rest.
Grief and guilt Lilly had more than she could bear. But, Lester wasn't a manifestation of her grief or her guilt. Her son was saying goodbye.
Morgan blamed himself for Lester's illness and death. His sin was the same sin Joseph's brothers committed. Morgan sent his half brother and sister to an orphanage, The State Child Protective services.
Some family members found Grace and brought her home as a domestic servant. Morgan could have taken the younger children in. He didn't Because they were racially mixed. The mother was a Quadroon.The father was his father. He could have prevented their suffering but he didn't and God is punishing him.
The funeral was emotional as you might expect. Lilly was distraught that she was forced to be home in bed while the community was burying her son. She did not know what scars the funeral might leave on the child inside of her. She was certain she would be emotionally scared because she wasn't at her son's funeral.
During the funeral Morgan became overwhelmed with grief. He had been required to dig Lester's grave. Morgan refused to delegate any part of his responsibility to the others who offered. Lester was his son. This was the last thing he'd do for his first born. He would accomplish this no matter how much it hurt.
It was tradition that Morgan place the first shovel of dirt on the casket. His father in law and the elder men insisted he perform this ritual on his own.
Morgan was holding his emotions well, or so he thought. When he dropped that first shovel of dirt on his son's casket Morgan's mind snapped along with his mind his body crumpled to the ground.
He cursed God for taking Lester from him. He cursed himself for not being there for not helping Lilly take care of their son. He cursed himself for not sending for the doctor sooner. He cursed his being head of the family. Finally he cursed Lester for being sick. He cursed Lilly for being with child. He needed her beside him. Her place was at the graveside next to him and their son.
The men of the Stateline Community completed the funeral .Morgan was lifted to his feet but he couldn't walk. Two men carried Morgan to his home and laid him in bed where he stayed for a year.
Several times during his recovery Morgan saw God at the foot of his bed. God wasn't happy with him. Each time God told Morgan to you much has been given. Now, I wash my hands of you. That moment Morgan experienced Hell with its fury.
In Hell Morgan cried out, Oh Father, Lord God, forgive me. I hoped that by cursing you and the wealth you've given me, I'd force your hand. God, why wouldn't you let me die ? Job 2:9 says " curse God and die." Yet, I'm still here ?
Was Morgan hallucinating ? Or, was the experience genuine ?
With both parents confined to bed the women of State line cared for the home, Chester, the newborn and their parents. Obviously God was still placing good people in Morgan's life or is the aid and comfort of the aftermath and Lilly's faith.
The Cost is High(Martha Hume)
"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." ( Job 1: 21)
While Lester and his brother Chester were fishing. Lester noticed a small nodule that was associated with the beginning of a rash beneath his skin. It didn't look serious enough to end the fishing trip. Lester popped the small nodule with a fishhook and continued fishing.
When they returned home the boys presented their mother with a string of fish. Lester told his mama about the small bump he found. He said it was most likely an insect bite. it wasn't any cause for concern.
Lilly inspected the area where Lester said that he had popped the bump. Lilly noticed several nodules. The bumps just beneath the skin looked like flea bites. The rash looked like prickly heat to her. Her son looked very healthy.
She had no idea what could have caused this. Whatever this mysterious injury was, it did not look serious. So, she instructed her son to bathe, to prepare for bed. As she applied an ointment to the bumps she thought Lester felt warm when she touched him.. She assessed the circumstances , she decided it wasn't serious enough to call the doctor. Whatever this was , she didn't think it was serious enough to send for Morgan.
The rash nodules disappeared in days. Lester wasn't itching. He hadn't itched any since contracting the lesions. She believed the worst of this mysterious ailment was over.
Lily did not know or suspect her son had Rheumatic fever. She had no idea the innocent looking bumps would result in Rheumatic heart disease. She had no knowledge of Rheumatic fever or the consequences that would develop.
Lester wasn't complaining . His mother was unaware of his swollen joints, his elevated fever, and how tired he was. Lester had been home for a week with the symptoms of a cold or the flu. He was eager to return to school. Lilly saw no reason to keep him home. Her twelve year old had all the signs of arthritis.
What she had dismissed as an ordinary sore throat four or five weeks earlier had, in fact, been a streptococcal throat infection. She treated Lester's sore throat as any mother would.
In the weeks since the sore throat she had noticed some moodiness in her son but nothing so great as to alarm anyone. He was still the obedient respectful son she and Morgan were raising him to be.
Lester was gradually losing control of his hands and Feet. The symptoms were mild and went undetected. Lester wasn't complaining. Lilly dismissed the symptoms as normal adolescent clumsiness.
Her family and friends assured her it was normal, all twelve year olds go through this phase. She accepted their word for it.
What was happening to Lester was nerve inflammation (Sydenham's chorea) in medical terminology . Lilly didn't know. She had no way of knowing the discomfort her child was in. Lester wasn't complaining. He was excited about being able to return to class.
His first day back in class the teacher asked Lester to chase another child who was running to escape punishment. Lester readily obeyed the teacher. Because Lester ran chasing the student Chester chased the student too. The brothers were alike yet different.
Lester outran his brother. there wasn't anything unusual about that.
if Chester had put his heart into the chase , If he had been able to keep up, There would have been a witness to Lester's fatigue. Chester may not have known why his brother lacked his normal energy but he would have known Lester wasn't himself. He could have and would have told someone.
The teacher, the other students, someone would have been watching Lester more closely.
Lester could not tell anyone his chest was hurting. He was unable to say he couldn't breathe. The shortness of breath was crippling him. If Chester had been faster he would have been able to alert someone that his brother was having serious trouble.
Only a doctor with a stethoscope could have possibly detected the tell tale signs of a heart murmur. or the excessive rapid heartbeat Lester had developed. Then even this is doubtful.
Chester knew something was wrong. Lester was in serious trouble. If they had not been at school Chester would have ran to his brother which he did. He would have ran to the saw mill to get his daddy. He would have run home screaming "Mama, Lester needs you." There was so much Chester could have done, if he had not been ten years old and waiting for permission or some adult to take the lead.
The teacher was concerned. She noticed Lester was taking an unusually long time to recover from the exertion. Which was not normal for him. His face remained pale. This wasn't normal. It was obvious Lester was experiencing trauma. The teacher contributed what she observed as Lester had returned to class prematurely. She sent Lester and Chester home.
Chester was asked to update the teacher on his brother's health. The illness was upsetting the class.
Lilly placed Lester in bed. Then she sent Chester back to school. She sent a message, Lester will be in bed for today. Tomorrow he will return to school.
When Lester did not return to his class. The teacher requested permission to tutor him in his home. Lilly consented. The teacher was there every afternoon tutoring Lester. She was going above the duty of any teacher.
This sickness was temporary. Lilly said it to herself. She said it to the family, to the neighbors. She said it in every prayer she prayed. Lilly said Lester was returning so frequently she began to believe it. She believed even in the face of contradictory evidence. God would not take her son. He just wouldn't.
In time it was clear, Lester wasn't responding to treatment. Lilly sent Chester to the saw mill. Tell your daddy I need him home as soon as possible. Lester has taken a turn for the worst. I want your daddy here.
Morgan saw Chester coming toward the mill. He immediately dropped everything and ran to meet his son. Chester struggled with the words Lester is worse. Mama needs you home.
He shouted come on son, your mama needs us. Two of his coworkers cut him in route. They asked Morgan how they could help. He sobbed , it's Lester . Bring the doctor to my house immediately. Lilly, I, we can't lose our boy.
The community school was at recess when Morgan shouted it's Lester, bring the doctor to my house now !
The teacher shouted Class dismissed. The teacher raced toward the Lee home with a majority of the class racing behind her and in front of her.
The doctor said Lester had a Rheumatic heart. He explained that the Rheumatic fever must have progressed very rapidly. It may have been preceded by a strep infection in his throat or Scarlet fever.
Lester has Rheumatic heart disease. And there is inadequate medical resources available. Bed rest is the only thing we can do. Keep the boy comfortable. He is in God's hands now. You should hope and pray for the best while preparing yourselves for the worst.
The teacher apologized saying, " if I had known, if I'd even suspected Lester had a heart condition I would have never asked him to chase that child. I could have done the job myself. I am so sorry. Mister and Mrs. Lee, can you ever forgive me ?
Morgan shouted " the boy isn't dead. He has simply taken a turn for the worse. The doctor is here for his mother's comfort. My son is strong and he will recover from this fever, this heart condition.
The doctor came three more times before he told Morgan, your son, Lester, is dying. I'm sorry there is nothing more I can do. I'm so sorry . This is the worst I said you should prepare for.
Lilly is the patient now. This isn't easy for me to say, Lilly is less than one month from her due date. She shouldn't attend the funeral . it could harm her unborn child. I want your wife on complete bed rest until the baby comes.
Doctor i want you to save Lilly, I beg you to save her and the baby but save
Lilly at all costs. I can save them both but I require strict obedience to my instructions.
The doctor repeated " I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." As he tipped his hat and left.
He was sorry. With his knowledge and the medical technology at his disposal, he might as well be practicing in some third world country. If the illness had been detected and treated sooner perhaps, with the grace of God, Lester might have survived. The parents didn't know . The necessary antibiotics were not available not in extreme southern Forests County.
The Aftermath :
For Lilly, forgiving the teacher, accepting her heartfelt apology was easier than forgiving herself. She was the boy's mother. It was her responsibility to know when something wasn't right with her child. She should have been more attentive .
Lilly cried ,if I had called the doctor the day the rash, the nodules were first seen, if she'd been a paranoid over protective mother she might still have her first born. This Procrastination cost Lester his life. This sorrow would stay with her until her dying day.
Lilly said, if I'd sent for the doctor and Morgan when the teacher sent Lester home from school. Her son might have returned to school just as she said he would. She could have sent for the doctor anytime especially when Lester wasn't responding as quickly as she thought he should. She should have known. She should have responded differently.
All of the pain and suffering her family had gone through, it was all her fault. Everything since Lester's last day at school was punishment from God. God was punishing her for calling her sister Mattie a scarlet woman. She failed to show compassion. Mattie had lost her child, her husband, and her home. God was allowing her to feel what her sister was surely feeling.
The night Lester died Lilly swore her son came and sat on the side of her bed. Lester kissed her and asked his mother if she was OK. Those around her tried to convince Lilly that she was dreaming or that the grief had produced hallucination. In her mind. Lester was dead. They told her that the dead do not come back. Lilly knew what she saw. She knew Lester's voice and she felt his kiss.
Yes, 2 Corinthians 5:8 does not lie." To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." The Lord sent Lester back to comfort me. The child in my womb is another Lester.
Lilly, your unborn baby isn't Lester. Reincarnation The Church doesn't believe in the dead being brought back as another person. You're exhausted and sick from the ordeal you've been through. Shh ! Get some rest.
Grief and guilt Lilly had more than she could bear. But, Lester wasn't a manifestation of her grief or her guilt. Her son was saying goodbye.
Morgan blamed himself for Lester's illness and death. His sin was the same sin Joseph's brothers committed. Morgan sent his half brother and sister to an orphanage, The State Child Protective services.
Some family members found Grace and brought her home as a domestic servant. Morgan could have taken the younger children in. He didn't Because they were racially mixed. The mother was a Quadroon.The father was his father. He could have prevented their suffering but he didn't and God is punishing him.
The funeral was emotional as you might expect. Lilly was distraught that she was forced to be home in bed while the community was burying her son. She did not know what scars the funeral might leave on the child inside of her. She was certain she would be emotionally scared because she wasn't at her son's funeral.
During the funeral Morgan became overwhelmed with grief. He had been required to dig Lester's grave. Morgan refused to delegate any part of his responsibility to the others who offered. Lester was his son. This was the last thing he'd do for his first born. He would accomplish this no matter how much it hurt.
It was tradition that Morgan place the first shovel of dirt on the casket. His father in law and the elder men insisted he perform this ritual on his own.
Morgan was holding his emotions well, or so he thought. When he dropped that first shovel of dirt on his son's casket Morgan's mind snapped along with his mind his body crumpled to the ground.
He cursed God for taking Lester from him. He cursed himself for not being there for not helping Lilly take care of their son. He cursed himself for not sending for the doctor sooner. He cursed his being head of the family. Finally he cursed Lester for being sick. He cursed Lilly for being with child. He needed her beside him. Her place was at the graveside next to him and their son.
The men of the Stateline Community completed the funeral .Morgan was lifted to his feet but he couldn't walk. Two men carried Morgan to his home and laid him in bed where he stayed for a year.
Several times during his recovery Morgan saw God at the foot of his bed. God wasn't happy with him. Each time God told Morgan to you much has been given. Now, I wash my hands of you. That moment Morgan experienced Hell with its fury.
In Hell Morgan cried out, Oh Father, Lord God, forgive me. I hoped that by cursing you and the wealth you've given me, I'd force your hand. God, why wouldn't you let me die ? Job 2:9 says " curse God and die." Yet, I'm still here ?
Was Morgan hallucinating ? Or, was the experience genuine ?
With both parents confined to bed the women of State line cared for the home, Chester, the newborn and their parents. Obviously God was still placing good people in Morgan's life or is the aid and comfort of the aftermath and Lilly's faith.
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Gail Moore
09/12/2021Wow, so much like my own story. I to have suffered from rheumatic fever at the age of 11. It was not until I was on deaths door that it was diagnosed.
I spent 7 months in hospital and on antibiotics for nearly 30 years and the probability of new heart values in the next few years.
I am so sorry to hear about your Lester. Over the years I have heard many stories similar.
I count my blessings but am always very sad to read stories such as yours :-(
Great writing. :-)
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