Dr. John T. Murphy, Jr. was a beloved orthopaedic surgeon, University of Tennessee football letterman, fishing enthusiast, loving husband, caring father, animal lover, and he was my younger brother. The good Lord must have needed another healing hand in heaven and he called him home in the prime of life, but I know he was ready.
Growing up in Jackson Tennessee, working at Murphy Tractor Company, water skiing on the nearby lakes and rivers, and playing practical jokes, Johnny as we called him was called early in life to be a physician. From UT Knoxville to Memphis for medical school, no one ever doubted this would happen.
He settled in Florence Alabama and there he found the love of his life, Teresa, who he told everyone, was his soul mate. They gardened, fished, planted flowers, traveled, cooked and worked together. Never had he been happier. But something none of us ever dreamed would happen stilled us in shock.
Unexpectedly, he hemorrhaged internally and nothing could change the fate. From never being sick a day in his life to this just didn’t seem fair, but it was just a reminder to our family that life is precious and there truly are no guarantees.
As I stood at the visitation, hundreds came by to say thank you and good by to my brother and told us how because of him they could walk; or how he had always remembered the little girl at the barbecue hut who needed some school money; or how he had gone to the ER in the middle of the night because a family didn’t want any one but Dr. Murphy to operate; or how he treated the rich and poor, the black and white, the saints and the sinners all the same, never judging, just taking care of his patients.
I know that he’s in a better place and he wouldn’t come back here even if he could. It is the ones who are left behind who miss his gentle ways, infectious smile and who can’t help but question the timing. We are only human. Today is his birthday and I have added one of his favorite poems to this site – Success. He lived by these words. Please let it be a reminder to each of us that we should do our part to leave this world a better place, just as Dr. Murphy did.
Growing up in Jackson Tennessee, working at Murphy Tractor Company, water skiing on the nearby lakes and rivers, and playing practical jokes, Johnny as we called him was called early in life to be a physician. From UT Knoxville to Memphis for medical school, no one ever doubted this would happen.
He settled in Florence Alabama and there he found the love of his life, Teresa, who he told everyone, was his soul mate. They gardened, fished, planted flowers, traveled, cooked and worked together. Never had he been happier. But something none of us ever dreamed would happen stilled us in shock.
Unexpectedly, he hemorrhaged internally and nothing could change the fate. From never being sick a day in his life to this just didn’t seem fair, but it was just a reminder to our family that life is precious and there truly are no guarantees.
As I stood at the visitation, hundreds came by to say thank you and good by to my brother and told us how because of him they could walk; or how he had always remembered the little girl at the barbecue hut who needed some school money; or how he had gone to the ER in the middle of the night because a family didn’t want any one but Dr. Murphy to operate; or how he treated the rich and poor, the black and white, the saints and the sinners all the same, never judging, just taking care of his patients.
I know that he’s in a better place and he wouldn’t come back here even if he could. It is the ones who are left behind who miss his gentle ways, infectious smile and who can’t help but question the timing. We are only human. Today is his birthday and I have added one of his favorite poems to this site – Success. He lived by these words. Please let it be a reminder to each of us that we should do our part to leave this world a better place, just as Dr. Murphy did.
9 comments:
Oh Libby...What a touching tribute to your brother! He must have been a wonderful person and I know he is terribly missed. Thank you so much for sharing his story with us. The song was a sweet reminder that we will all be together some day! Hugs to you, my friend, on his special day...Debbie
Libby, I have goose bumps reading about your brother. He truly was a wonderful man who obviously touched so many lives in such a positive way. It is so hard for us to understand why things happen the way we do. I loved your sentence about heaven being a better place and he wouldn't come back even if he could. That is such a comforting thought to those left on earth. Bless you as John is heavy on your mind on his special day today. Thanks for sharing.
Oh this was so beautiful.Missing my brother also.
God Bless Brothers!
Missing him too.
So sorry to hear about the sudden death of your beloved brother. Our prayers are with you at this sad time.
I found you through Totally Tabletops. She posted my daughter's Chinese Tea party. So glad you liked it!
Blessings,
Donna
What a loving tribute to your brother. He sounds like a wonderful humanitarian and I know you must miss him greatly.
You have written the sweetest tribute to your brother...what a handsome man he was! May God bless you and your family as your remember him!
Libby~ I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your brother. You and your family will be remembered in my prayers. John sounds like he had a beautiful soul~ the world needs more like him. God bless you and your family in this time of loss.
My deepest sympathy,
Carol
Libby~I am so very sorry to know that you lost your brother recently. It's hard to understand why something like this can happen, taken so early. God bless you and your family as you face this difficult time.
Joy C.
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