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Time to say goodbye ~ A peaceful passing
No one really likes to say goodbye to their loved ones...
Memories flooded our minds as we drove from Sunset Beach, NC to Virginia Beach ~ Frank's Dad, Edward aka Ed, was the best Father-in-Law a young girl could ask for.. He was kind, considerate and always available to lend a helping hand.. I remember the first time I met him, it was a family dinner ~ Dad casually mentioned "You're the First Girl Frankie has ever brought for dinner" ~ Everyone at the table erupted into giggles ~
Dad wasn't the type of Dad that had to know what you were doing every moment of your life.. He was the type of Dad that watched his son mature, have a career and start a family.... He never ridiculed or said a cross word in all the years I knew him. I never heard him raise his voice once in 36 years!! He was an "old school boy", a hard working and an honest man.
Dad loved tinkering on cars and was known for hoarding parts of cars, "You never know when you might need it"
Dad loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren ~ tickling, teasing and had the best "lap" that never seemed to wear out ~
Longevity runs in Dad's family so reaching age 91 was not uncommon ~ Heck, he was still driving to the supermarket with Mom until a part broke on his car that mysteriously couldn't be replaced ~ I think he knew what was going on, but quietly accepted the fact that he wasn't "up to" driving anymore ~
Dad was just a little stubborn, not always wanting to use his walker because it "got in his way" ~ but he quietly accepted it...
When we found out he fell and broke his arm, we were not surprised ~ Probably was that walker "getting in his way again" ...
The doctors and hospital staff were kind, thoughtful and considerate explaining every procedure and involving the family in Dad's plan of care ~ The doctors explained all the results from various procedures, that Dad's heart and kidneys were failing ~ We spent time visiting, watching Dad peacefully sleeping, knowing somehow the time was near ~ Long term plans were discussed as well as the inevitable ~
Dad was to be transferred from the ICU to the Step Down Unit ~ After Dad's transfer Frank and I decided to go back to the hospital to check on Dad in his surroundings and meet his nurse ~ It started to rain while the sun was shining ~ Frank reminded me to look for a rainbow ~ As we turned into the hospital, there it was ~ a DOUBLE RAINBOW, over the hospital ~
Dad was sleeping peacefully as we entered his room ~ His nurse entered and spent some time with us as she checked the functions of the multiple pumps delivering antibiotics, heart medication and intravenous fluids ~ She promised she would keep a "good" eye on him and call us if anything changed ~ We were so happy he was resting so peacefully and told the nurse we wished he would pass peacefully in his sleep ~
As we entered Frank's sisters house, she told us the hospital had called to say Dad had taken a turn for the worse and we should all return to the hospital ~ As we entered the room, the nurse and doctor stood at the head of his bed and told us his blood pressure had dropped very quickly and he passed quietly in his sleep ~
It seems God answered our prayers as we all must have prayed together for Dad to pass peacefully in his sleep....
Goodbye Dad, Ed, We Love You ~
