To the editor: On Wednesday morning, July 11 news was delivered that no one wanted to hear and is never ready for. My Hubert had cancer in his spine, liver and pancreas.

On Friday, July 13 Hubert did not care for any breakfast. I have lived with him for 56 years and he has never missed a breakfast in his life. On Sunday evening, July 15, God called him home.

As a family we were fortunate and honored to serve in seven county seat towns in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church, the last being at the beloved First United Methodist Church of Griffin, Ga. Our family has always been welcomed and loved, but never with such an outpouring of love as we have received and witnessed this week. It seemed that no matter where we turned or what we needed, someone was there reaching up and out and to each other.

We witnessed a miracle in the hours following his death, during the memorial service and after the visitation. Our family now knows how the miracle of turning water into wine must have been. Thanks from the hearts of the family of the Rev. Hubert L. Flanagan and all who have been touched by our loss and heaven’s gain for being the instrument to make it happen.

Our family has had to say “goodbye” many times, but never without our husband, father, papa, minister, teacher and friend. We are so grateful for the concerns, thoughts and above all your sincere prayers, which have enabled us to move forward through this difficult time. May God bless, keep and hold you in the palm of his hand.

THE FLANAGANS

KATIE,

RANDY, REID AND PATRICK