of them raced over. They came into the bedroom
and after I turned over the guns and ammunition
I was asked to leave the room. I later found out
that the officers were so overcome with emotion
that they didn’t want me to witness any parts
of that experience. They talked to him about
the “job” until the ambulance arrived and then
several went to the hospital with us. dying so I knew exactly what it was. I saw him
thrash about, trying to rip off the leg monitors
that monitored his pressure. Several times his
eyes would roll back but he always came back,
and each time he said, “I love you.” My sister-in-
law later mentioned to me that he told her during
the time I’d left to use the bathroom or leave the
room, “I love my wife.”
Almost a month later, I received the final call
very early in the morning. I’d been up most of the
night because Rob was coming home for hospice
and I needed to get things prepared—which
included oxygen and so many other things to
make the stay comfortable. I raced to the hospital
and found him waiting for me. I’d already notified
our pastor and his siblings. They arrived shortly
after I did. The daughters were at work and were
trying to make it to the hospital. Rob was able
to talk to them over the phone and told them not
to come. He’d be going home that day. I thought
he meant he was coming home to our physical
house, but he knew better. When the moment came, I cradled Rob in the
crook of my arm and kissed his forehead. With my
free hand, I placed two fingers on his wrist and
felt his pulse dwindle until his eyes lost its light.
His lips and feet suddenly turned ice cold. He was
pronounced dead, and I had kept my promise to
him ...”Until death do we part.”
I look at the world we now live in, and at times
I’m saddened. Most of the time I’m so proud of
my Gentle Giant Robert Walker, Jr., who along
with so many others, will never be known put
their lives on the line to keep this country safe.
I pray we don’t squander their efforts.
Throughout that day, I saw my gentle giant
fight the final battle. He and I sang his favorite
song, “Break Every Chain.” We prayed until the
Holy Ghost took over the room. He kept repeating
how much he loved me. He apologized for having
to leave me. I, in turn, told him how much I loved
him then and always would. I thanked him for
loving me like Christ loved the church. We chatted
for as long as we could and then the death rattle
came.
I’d heard it before when my eldest brother lay
Rest in peace my beloved
Robert Walker, Jr. 1943-2013.