My father was set free of his earthly bonds on Tuesday May 9, 2017. No matter how well prepared we are – or think we are – to accept the death of a loved one, when you hear the words “Your dad just died”, you feel like the breath has been knocked out of you.
Dad had been in the hospital for tests to determine what was causing him the pain in his legs. During the testing, it was found he had an infection so the doctor decided to keep him admitted until the infection was cleared up. He came home to his ‘house’ – as he called it – a little over a week ago. He settled into his chair and started snacking on his favorite cookie, Pecan Sandies. His condition declined very quickly. We knew from the staff, Visiting Angels and Hospice that he did not have a lot of time left, and did what could be done to make him comfortable and pain free.
Tuesday morning I spent a few hours down by the river, praying the Rosary and asking God to have mercy on dad – please let it be Your Will to take him today. The Memorare I said at the end of the Rosary was intense.
My beautiful Council of Catholic Women prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that night, and ended their prayer for my father at around 7:30pm. I received the call at 8pm that my dad had died. And I did feel that the wind had been knocked out of me, prepared as I thought I was.
My tears were those of thanks and of grief. I knew our prayers had been heard and that my dad no longer struggled to breathe and was no longer in physical pain.
So dad, I will always celebrate your life, your exemplary model of unconditional love, and your humor, always your humor. As you lovingly would say to me every night when we would talk “I’m glad you came to our house”, I say, I am too dad. I am too.
Finding my Voice 