It is exactly 6 years ago since I answered the phone to hear these words, “Mr Holbeck, your wife Carole passed away just a few minutes ago.” They were from the person in charge of the Palliative Care ward at Wauchope, the neighbouring town.
I was shocked but not surprised because the doctor had told us both just two days earlier that Carole could not live longer than 2 or 3 days. I had spent the whole day with her as she lay there in an unresponsive state. Carole had previously insisted I drove home before darkness fell, and I did so after praying over her and telling her I loved her and that if Jesus was calling her home, I would be ok.
Life was a bit of a blur for some time after that but I did manage to write a tribute to her which was handed out at her Thanksgiving service a few days later, 329. A Tribute To A Wonderful Godly Woman. Carole Ann Holbeck. My Late Beloved Wife and Very Best Friend and another the night before her Thanksgiving service. [Here] Since that time I have reflected on significant moments in our relationship, little moments that have stuck in my memory for decades after. At a church barbeque on the beach how I decided to fetch the food for a younger person who was severely physically handicapped. As I arrived back with the food there was Carole who had had the same idea also bringing food back to the young man. I remember thinking what a kind, thoughtful, generous person this young woman is. [And very attractive as well.] From that moment I saw how this attitude of thoughtful generosity marked every aspect of her life.
I remember the first time she told me she loved me and I felt the most privileged man on earth to be loved by such a beautiful, intelligent, self-giving creature. Later came the time when I asked Carole in a hypothetical way what she would say if someday I asked her to marry me. Her immediate answer was, “I would say Yes!” Hearing this reply, I proposed and she accepted my proposal. This to my utter amazement and deep joy.
There is another memory that often comes into my mind. Carole had flown from Brisbane to Melbourne where I was residing in a Theological College. As we walked together along one of the streets in the CBD of Melbourne with Carole’s arm linked through mine, I thought I was the most privileged person on earth to have such a beautiful, attractive woman on my arm. I saw it as being God’s blessing on my life, thoroughly undeserved, but deeply , deeply appreciated.
Perhaps my most recent memory comes from the time I was helping Carole move from our bedroom to her favourite chair in the lounge. This was just a couple of days before I drove her to hospital at her request, our very last trip together. As we moved together she suddenly stopped and turning towards me said these unforgettable words, “Thank you for loving me! Thank you for caring for me!” I suppose they summarised our 55 years of being committed to one another and 54 years of a blissful marriage. These words have meant so much to me over the last 6 years.
There are of course many other precious memories I remember from time to time, but all of them fill me with gratitude to God for His amazing grace in allowing me to meet and fall in love in the most beautiful, attractive woman I have ever met. How gracious is our God!
Blog No. 581 posted on Friday 31 October 2025.
holbeck 
580. 90 Years Of Living In This World. What a privilege!
I reached the age of 90 years on Tuesday 14th OCTOBER. What a privilege to have lived for all those years in the Lord’s beautiful world. I did some research and discovered that of all Australian men born in1935, only 22% of us will get to the age of 90. It is an undeserved privilege bestowed on me by the grace of a loving God. I am amazed to realise that I was brought into the world to serve some purpose in the Lord’s eternal plan. For 70 of those years I have tried to fulfil His purpose for me. He has always been faithful in providing the grace I needed to live for Him in spite of my unavailability at times.
What a privilege to be born into a loving family where riches were not abundant but where love and support certainly were.
Then to befriend a beautiful, attractive, intelligent young woman who became my very best friend and who amazingly responded to my proposal of marriage; a marriage which was blessed for 54 years before the Lord called her home. And the joy of bringing 3 wonderful children into the world and through them 4 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren.
The privilege of serving the Lord, in many places in Australia, in New Zealand, and in Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida in the United States. As a result, deep friendships that have lasted for decades. And to realise that the Lord had “planned” my days so that I was offered positions in ministry rather than having to apply for them, as Psalm 139 verse 16 indicates, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” Being interested in words I looked up the word “planned” in this verse in the Greek version of the Old Testament. [The LXX]. It is the word πλάσσω; plassō meaning to mould [like a potter] or to fashion or form. Grace upon grace upon grace to realise that my whole life has been part of His eternal plan and purpose and that when my mind made some plans for the future, the Lord over-ruled to His glory, Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
Reaching 90 years of age is a privilege I deeply appreciate and I praise the Lord for His amazing grace in allowing me to do so.
Blog No. 580 posted on Tuesday 14 October 2025