How's Mom?

Many have been asking how Mom is doing. She is doing really well - better than the rest of us. Sometimes I am concerned that she is doing too well. My concern is that she is simply emotionally and physically relieved right now and the fact that she has lost her husband of 41 years will hit her really hard at some point. However, Mom has reminded us that she has been grieving this over the past year and a half as Dad's disease progressed. Mom and Dad handled a lot of things privately between the two of them. Mom was very open and honest with us kids about Dad's condition, but she also chose not to burden us with a lot of the day to day issues she had to deal with. Over time, Mom lost pieces of Dad as the disease progressed and Mom did grieve every one of those loses. Mom knew how very much Dad hated being sick. Mom and Dad had both come to terms with Dad's illness and were very much at peace with each other and at peace with God's plan. Of course, Mom misses Dad, but right now she is enjoying spending time with the grandkids, getting out with friends, etc.

My Tribute

Dad -

You gave me wings. You let me fly. But, you always made sure I had a place to land.

Details

This is not a post I ever wanted to write. Everything is still very surreal at this point. However, I know it is a post I have to write.

Visitation for Dad will be on Thursday, Dec 10 from 4pm until 7pm at Starks & Menchinger in St. Joseph and also on Friday, Dec 11 from 11am until 1pm at Midway Baptist Church in Watervliet. The funeral will be Friday, Dec 11 at Midway at 1pm.

We as a family cannot say THANK YOU enough for all the love, encouragement, help and prayers that have been so generously given over the past year. We have been overwhelmed and so very blessed by the support of our friends and family.

Thanks Mom!

The gift of having this past year with our Dad was a gift to us from our Mom. The care she gave him is unbelievable! Day and night she was by his side and cared for his every need. She kept meticulous records and adjusted Dad's medications and IVs daily to keep everything balanced. Dad often apologized for all the work Mom was doing to care for him. But, she always gently reminded him that that is what she was called to do. She never complained. She always focused on the good and had a song in her heart. Thanks Mom! What a gift you gave us!

It is well

Our hearts are heavy, but our souls rejoice. At 6:30pm Dad went home to his Savior Jesus Christ. No more sickness, no more pain. We rejoice!

Tomorrow is now Today

Dad keeps hanging in there. His condition is very fragile. Last night he had a few episodes in a short period of time where he stopped breathing for over a minute. At that time, calls were made and all the family gathered with Dad. Well, that must have been what he was wanting because he settled right in, started breathing regularly again and rested peacefully all night. He seemed to enjoy the big sleepover. Mom slept well knowing she had everyone there with her. Dad has not had any fluids or nutrition in a while now. But, he is peaceful and has not had to have any medication. We keep saying how blessed we are that we are not having to watch him suffer. God's plan is good, His timing is perfect.

I think it is Sunday

The days and nights are becoming a blur. Dad has declined significantly over the last 48 hours. He is not able to communicate with us anymore. He still knows we are there though. It is very hard to see a frail old man laying in your parents' bed. I keep waiting for Dad to pull in the driveway after a weekend of fishing up north or to walk up from the barn for his lunch. It just breaks your heart. It will be well with my soul.

Day by Day

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.

Not much has changed with Dad. He continues to be very weak. We have all been with Dad today. He responds to each of us, but is not able to stay awake very long. He knows we are with him and thanks us for being there. We are taking one day at a time and trusting Jesus with tomorrow. Our hearts ache seeing Dad like this, but it is well with our soul.

But he said to me...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Cor. 12:9

Dad is very weak right now. He is not eating well and is having very high output. All of this is very discouraging to Dad. We are taking one day at a time and trusting in the all sufficient grace of Jesus Christ to give us power in our weakness. Please pray for comfort for Dad, peace as He trusts in the perfect plan of His Savior Jesus Christ. Our earthly desire is that Dad's strength and physical health will be restored. Our eternal desire is that God's perfect plan will be accomplished and that He is glorified in all that we are and all that we do. We trust His perfect love and are resting in the palm of His hand. While we continue to pray for Dad's healing, we are comforted in knowing that God's plan is good.