Our American phone rang on Saturday, June 20th at 8AM. Oh no, I thought, that is a really strange time - 2AM in OH, 1AM in IL. I knew there was an emergency of some kind.
It was my brother David calling, and over the next 30 minutes or so he detailed events from earlier in the day.
He had called Mom and Dad to see how they were doing. Dad had a rough day, Mom told him. In fact, after his infusion of platelets at the hospital, she had to almost carry him back into the house when they got home. He was now laying on the couch resting, she told David.
They chatted for about 15 minutes or so catching up on each other’s lives. “So, how’s Dad feeling by now?” David asked. Mom walked over to Dad and replied “I think he’s gone,” in a quiet unsure way.
David was able to walk Mom through calling 9-1-1, and stayed on the line with her through the paramedics arriving and until our brother Albert was able to get there from nearby. They announced Dad’s death shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Dad passed away at age 73 on 19 June 2009. He laid down on his couch at home and fell asleep, waking before heaven’s doors.
While we are sad to say goodbye to our Dad, our Grandpa, we are thankful that he is free from the pain and suffering of his earthly diseases. Free from the cares and burdens of this life and this world.
We did not expect to make a trip to the US in June. Our plans were to fly out in August for 3 weeks to attend my parents’ 50th Anniversary celebration and visit family and friends in Ohio and Illinois.
God had different plans. His plans don’t always make sense to us, but they are always better. I’m still learning daily to trust and accept that.
Dad made an unexpected trip. One that took him home early to his Lord and Savior.
We love you and will miss you, Dad. But we will see you again some day.
We rest in the peace that this knowledge gives us. He rests in the arms of Jesus tonight.
1 comment:
Kristy - we're so sorry for the loss of your dad. It's hard to believe from that picture that it's even him, it had been quite a while since we'd seen him. We felt blessed to be able to see you while we were in Ohio, but not under those circumstances. We love you and will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
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