On Sept. 5, three and a half years after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and eight months after suffering from a debilitating stroke, my father, Tom Brubaker, passed away at home, surrounded by family.

But this piece isn't an obituary. Rather, it's a thank you to all the wonderful people in Liberty Lake and the surrounding area who have donated their time, money, energy and abilities to help our family through the past few difficult years. A handful of these projects have been covered previously by The Splash, but there have been countless more acts of love and support that deserve our thanks, for without them, we likely would not have made it through our journey.

Almost immediately after Dad was diagnosed, our friends and neighbors were there to pitch in and do what they could to help us through the difficult adjustment and maintain Dad's quality of life. Care supplies and accessibility equipment were loaned or donated to help Dad cope with his newfound physical limitations, and gifts such as a new bedroom set and television helped him as he recovered from the harsh side effects of the treatments. 

A major group effort revolved around providing a space in the backyard where he could recuperate with his family and enjoy his gardening hobby. A rock ring was laid down around a gas-fueled fire pit and a raised gardening bed. Other families contributed plants, gardening supplies and yard furniture, while a number of Dad's co-workers provided a storage shed.

Shows of emotional support included a 108 Sun Salutations event hosted in Pavillion Park by multiple area yoga studios, and a benefit concert put on by The Angela Marie Project, a local band. Several area businesses, community organizations and churches found their own ways to support our family both emotionally and tangibly. Some community members organized to provide home-cooked meals while we were busy with treatments and testing, while others volunteered for house cleaning and yardwork to make our home a more stress-free environment.

Thanks to two generous families who owned cabins on Lake Coeur d'Alene, we were able to gather Dad's large and far-flung extended family together right in our own backyard for a pair of bittersweet, but still very special gatherings. Gratitude should also be expressed here for a local professional photographer who volunteered his time to record the event.

Thanks in no small part to these gifts and more, Dad handled his treatments admirably and was even able to return to work part-time until he suffered a stroke earlier this year. After several months of rehabilitation therapy in care facilities, he returned to spend his last days at home with the invaluable aid of Hospice of Spokane. Once again, our friends and neighbors were there to support us during the final stretch.

A group from our church pitched in to install a wheelchair ramp and transfer poles (a donation from another friend) inside the house. These back-saving aids allowed just one person to move Dad around as necessary, and take him for outings around the neighborhood when he was up for it. We also received assistance replacing the living room carpet with a sturdy vinyl that could handle a hospital bed, wheelchair traffic and spills.  

As the medical bills accumulated and insurance coverage began to get shaky, an online GoFundMe campaign was launched. Thanks to a number of local businesses putting up fliers for the webpage and extensive sharing online, over $14,000 was raised toward Dad's treatments, as well as hospital bills that Mom herself unexpectedly accumulated after a fall severely damaged her spleen.

As Dad's health declined and he became more and more limited to bed, many friends volunteered to spend their time with him; reading, playing music or just visiting. Gifts such as books, magazines and access to television meant a great deal to him during his final months, but personal visits clearly held special value, even when he had trouble recognizing a face or following a conversation.

Folks also generously volunteered their time to support Mom during this trying period, making grocery runs, helping with legal matters and providing opportunities for her to take much-needed breaks by giving her tickets to local events or volunteering to watch Dad. Even now, friends are still there for Mom, setting up health insurance, arranging finances, helping her organize Dad's memorial service this November, and just being there for emotional support during this tough and busy transition.

Early on, doctors estimated that Dad could have as little as three months to live, given his age and the severity of the cancer. During the subsequent three years of living with that cancer, Dad struggled at times with why he was still here. A man of faith, he was not afraid of physical death, and he believed there must have been a reason he had been kept on earth as long as he was. Well, I believe part of that reason was to bring our community closer together. And while I know not all will share our family's views on theological determinism, it cannot be denied that something very special happened in our little corner of the Inland Northwest over the past three and a half years.

Shortly after his initial diagnosis, Dad recorded a video for posterity; a record of his life and faith intended for both current and future generations. He concluded with a heartfelt message to his immediate family where, among other things, he passionately urged us to use our gifts, pursue our passions, and take joy in serving, noting that "it's more blessed to give than receive." 

This has always been a core belief in our family, with each member finding their own unique ways to help others in need, be they friends or complete strangers, according to their personal abilities. But over the course of the last three years, our family has found itself on the other side of that philosophy, and we have had the privilege of seeing the reciprocal rewards of giving at work in others. As much as their gifts of time and resources helped us, they also clearly had a wonderful impact on those who gave them.

Much can be said about the quality of Liberty Lake's streets, the amenities in its recreational areas and the handsome landscaping around its homes and businesses. But it's people that really make our area such a wonderful place to live; people who don't just occupy adjacent spaces, but know and care about their neighbors. That's what truly forms the heart of any close-knit community, and our family has had the privilege of seeing that caring spirit at work. Whether it came in the form of time, money or just an encouraging word and a hug when it was needed, it all came from the same place, and it is all equally deserving of our everlasting gratitude.

So on behalf of the Brubaker family, I urge those reading this to go out and truly become a member of our community, not just an occupant. Attend events, get involved in organizations, hang out with your neighbors, take a minute and get to know those faces you regularly see at the grocery store, library or gym. Make connections with people, be there for them if they're facing a difficult time in their lives, and when it's your turn to be the one in need, let them be there for you. When it comes from a place of love and generosity, service truly does bless everyone involved.

Editor's note: A memorial fund for the family has been set up at Umpqua Bank. Donate to the Thomas Brubaker Memorial Fund at any Umpqua location.