The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.
Job 1:21b
Daddy has gone home.
He fought the good fight.
He is at peace.
At 10 pm on September 20 I gave daddy the meds to keep him comfortable. It had been a rough day as his breathing had gotten louder due to the fluids building up in his lungs. I gave him a kiss goodnight and told him I loved him. I told him that I was so glad that God had given him to me as my daddy, that he was the best dad. I also told him that he was doing a great job and that I was proud of him. I headed to bed but I couldn't fall asleep. Around 11:30 I heard mom get up; she was sleeping in the same room as dad. I got up and headed in. She saw me coming and told me that she thought he was gone. He was quiet and it had woken her up. I felt him and he was still warm but his chest wasn't moving and we couldn't find a pulse. Tears started but there was peace. Daddy was no longer in pain and he is with Jesus. We talked to daddy, cried, gave him more kisses. I'm very glad that mom and I had that time with him. Joey, his dog didn't want to get on the bed with him but looked at him from the other bed. Poe, my parent's cat jumped up on the bed and settled on his chest. She laid her head on his hand and curled into it and kept moving her head so he was petting her. She got her time with him to say goodbye.
We called hospice and a nurse came. She got here pretty quickly. We were pretty happy that it was the nurse that first came when Dad came home. She is wonderful and I'm so thankful for her support. Everyone with hospice was amazing; from our aid to the other nurses, they treated dad with compassion, kindness and kept his dignity.
Mom told me that after I gave dad his meds she told him that she loved him, was proud of him, and that he was a good a faithful servant. She reassured him that we would be fine and that it was ok for him to go home. As she got into bed she said "I love you hun."
Dad went home in God's time. While there were tears there was also peace. In addition to the peace there was joy. One of the first things I said was "He's home! He's not in pain anymore!" It's been surreal. I can't explain the sorrow, joy and peace I have all at one time. I can say that it is truly well with my soul.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid.
John 14:27
