Comments on: Family Get-Together – After 20 Years

By: Karen Brooks

Karen Brooks — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:50:51 +0000

Hi Jeff,
You are my very favorite comedian! You make me laugh about my life while listening to your life experiences, scary how similar we are!
My mother-in-law just passed away in April, my best friend and confidant. She was 81 years old but never sick, she had a knee replacement 4 years ago and before that never been in the hospital since my husband was born he is 52 years old. So this came as quite a shock, coming from a family of longevity, we figured she would be with us at least another 20 years! But, God had different plans, She has 4 children, Lee, Scott, Laura and my husband Kelly. Lee and Scott were always at odds, Laura was at odds with everyone off and on, Kelly was the pillar in the family. Lee and Laura and Kelly are all believers, Scott was not and quite bitter and angry if the words, God, Church, Religion or anything was mentioned it was a bad scene. On Mom’s death bed Lee told her that his church and other churches were praying for her. She responded in a very weak voice,”don’t pray for me pray for Scott and his family”. Scott and his family were on a cruise, when Kelly called the cruise line and got in touch with Scott and said you need to come home now! So in Barbados, the airlines worked with him to get him to Dallas and American Airlines changed their flights to accommodate Scott’s urgency in getting to the little town of Delta in Western Colorado! (like that happens all the time!!) He made it in time to talk with Mom, he stayed all night with her in the hospital talking and telling her about his life etc… he would stop talking and she would grunt and squeeze his hand until he continued. God not only got Scott to the hospital, but was with him and mom in the room at the hospital! Sunday morning Scott called Kelly and said Mom’s prayers were answered, she is free to go home now!! We all went to the hospital as soon as we could and she went home to Jesus at 11:34 am on 4-3-11. Since her death Lee and Scott are very close and go to church together!! Laura is close to everyone again and Kelly is thrilled beyond words!! So even though I miss my mother-in-law and friend like my right arm was cut off, it is so refreshing to see how God works in our lives!! Mom is happy in heaven, and her children are happy in this temporary home now filled with Gods love! Thanks for listening Praise God! God is Good all the time!!!

By: Karen Brooks

Karen Brooks — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:50:12 +0000

Hi Jeff,
You are my very favorite person! You make me laugh about my life while listening to your life experiences, scary how similar we are!
My mother-in-law just passed away in April, my best friend and confidant. She was 81 years old but never sick, she had a knee replacement 4 years ago and before that never been in the hospital since my husband was born he is 52 years old. So this came as quite a shock, coming from a family of longevity, we figured she would be with us at least another 20 years! But, God had different plans, She has 4 children, Lee, Scott, Laura and my husband Kelly. Lee and Scott were always at odds, Laura was at odds with everyone off and on, Kelly was the pillar in the family. Lee and Laura and Kelly are all believers, Scott was not and quite bitter and angry if the words, God, Church, Religion or anything was mentioned it was a bad scene. On Mom’s death bed Lee told her that his church and other churches were praying for her. She responded in a very weak voice,”don’t pray for me pray for Scott and his family”. Scott and his family were on a cruise, when Kelly called the cruise line and got in touch with Scott and said you need to come home now! So in Barbados, the airlines worked with him to get him to Dallas and American Airlines changed their flights to accommodate Scott’s urgency in getting to the little town of Delta in Western Colorado! (like that happens all the time!!) He made it in time to talk with Mom, he stayed all night with her in the hospital talking and telling her about his life etc… he would stop talking and she would grunt and squeeze his hand until he continued. God not only got Scott to the hospital, but was with him and mom in the room at the hospital! Sunday morning Scott called Kelly and said Mom’s prayers were answered, she is free to go home now!! We all went to the hospital as soon as we could and she went home to Jesus at 11:34 am on 4-3-11. Since her death Lee and Scott are very close and go to church together!! Laura is close to everyone again and Kelly is thrilled beyond words!! So even though I miss my mother-in-law and friend like my right arm was cut off, it is so refreshing to see how God works in our lives!! Mom is happy in heaven, and her children are happy in this temporary home now filled with Gods love! Thanks for listening Praise God! God is Good all the time!!!

By: Peter in Down Under

Peter in Down Under — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:21:22 +0000

Hey Jeff,
I’m so happy to find you have a blog. I have watched your first show on Bananas, ‘My heart, my comedy’ and ‘Happy wife, happy life.” I read your book, ‘My life as a bystander’, as well, and while I have a different personality in parts, I connect with your humour. I can’t say I have your background, though. I have had a wonderful upbringing with loving parents and survivable siblings. I became a Christian at 7 years. But still, as with everyone, I’m saved by grace. Praise God!
I just wanted this to be a quick post to share with you that I am enjoying your blog as well as your peformances every so often.
I do live in Australia, so nice to chat, mate! I tend to find most of my bands and comedians in America, however, so thankyou for being out there, sharing your story with complete strangers. If theres anything I agree about you, it is that you tell people about how much God saved you to the new life you have in Him.
Cheers, mate Jeff!
Peter in Down Under

By: Vivienne

Vivienne — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:51:11 +0000

Jeff, thank you for sharing this story. It gives me a little hope that my sons will someday reconcile and I hope I live to see it. They have been estranged for over 6 years and one has disowned the other. I would appreciate any prayers for our family.

By: Vivienne

Vivienne — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:49:14 +0000

Jeff, thank you for sharing this story. It gives me a little hope that my sons will someday reconcile and I hope I live to see it.
They have been estranged for over 6 years and one has disowned the other. I would appreciate any prayers for our family.

By: Dee

Dee — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:27:48 +0000

Hi Jeff,
So nice to read your letter about siblings! What a blessing to see your brother and know in your heart he loves you!
I do have a concern, one that has plaqued me and hurts my heart. My older brother and youngest sister (she’s the baby) haven’t spoken for many months(7), since my mom passed last September. My brother said “now that mom’s gone, the gloves are off”. And my younger sister is not innocent in this either. My older sis and I have been trying to get them to let things go, but He won’t, and she is harsh back at him. I would covet any prayers you have and I know, thru Jesus, there is hope.
Thanks so much,
Dee <

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:21:56 +0000

I know the hurt that is caused in families. I have been estranged from my children ever since my divorce over 4 years ago now. One of my daughters got married and another one had a baby that is turning three sometime soon. I don’t know the dates of either. I was not included at all and have never been allowed to even see my granddaughter. To this date I have never been told what it was that I did wrong but I pray that some day the healing will begin for them. Do you have any advise for me. I was trying to stay in contact with them some through email and text message but as of late all of them are coming back undeliverable. I do not have addresses for them and now no way of contact at all. Prayer is the only resource that I have to reach them. How does it get better when they don’t seem to want it too?
Thanks for listening,
Daniel

By: Vinny Joy (Eye-Talian)

Vinny Joy (Eye-Talian) — Tue, 24 May 2011 13:56:04 +0000

Jeff,
Thank you for sharing that story about you and your brother. Of course there was humor in it, but the reuniting was the key. I was married to the mother of my children for many years. During that time, as a result of my moving out-of-state and her dislike/jealousy of my family, I had lost touch with my siblings over the many years of separation. After my divorce in 2001 I was able to reconnect by moving back to Connecticut and faced the realization of all that I had missed. It was very emotional. Since that time my next youngest brother, Rich, has become my best friend (apart from my wife, of course ) and it is a joy, pun intended, to spend time with him in person and by telephone. As a matter of fact, this is very timely, as he and his wife just left here (Chattanooga) after a wonderful weekend visit. There is nothing like family. As an additional blessing, we have discovered a shared love for cooking and now share recipes by e-mail.
Who’d a thunk that would happen?!?!
Thank you, Jeff for you vulnerability and your great comedic gift. God bless you as you continue to share it with a sad and serious world.
Your friend,
Vinny-The toga-free Eye-Talian