Death
I've been up since my Mom called at 3 am to tell me that my Dad had died. I'm spontaneously bursting into tears, as is everyone else around here. The last thing he said before he passed was, "I love you," to my Mom. His lungs had filled with fluid and his heart rate dropped. The paramedics declared him dead at about 2 am. My Mom told me he was peaceful and seemed at ease. I woke J'lea up and she stayed awake with me while I packed. Mom and my Uncle Keith came to get me at about 5 am. As soon as I walked in the door, Brian came running to me and we hugged, cried, and cuddled on the couch. Keith and Jean stayed with us until about 7 am. I called off work for Darren and I. I helped Mom pick out a suit for Dad, and then searched the house for his yearbooks to no avail. Instead I found a number of photos from when Darren and I were really young. My Mom and Jean went to the funeral home and planned the viewings and funeral. They got him a green and gold casket with Irish themes. I looked at a number of photographs I have of him on my computer. Darren had gone back to bed after it happened and I didn't see him until almost 1 pm. We called/were called by friends and family all day so far. Mom's company delivered food to us that has been delicious. Granny and Tom drove back from Virginia and got here about an hour ago. I spent a little bit of time with them, but now I'm going to finish this entry and try to sleep.
My brain is broken, along with my heart. I can't really put into words how I feel yet. I just needed to get some of this out before I tried to sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see him, as he was before he got sick. That wonderful, charming, hilarious, and intelligent man who raised, encouraged, inspired, and loved me the best he could for 23 years.
RIP Thomas Richard Hayes April 22, 1950 - June 4, 2009.
Last fall at Ohiopyle. The last photo I have with him.
"Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should go and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all."
-The Parting Glass
My brain is broken, along with my heart. I can't really put into words how I feel yet. I just needed to get some of this out before I tried to sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see him, as he was before he got sick. That wonderful, charming, hilarious, and intelligent man who raised, encouraged, inspired, and loved me the best he could for 23 years.
RIP Thomas Richard Hayes April 22, 1950 - June 4, 2009.
Last fall at Ohiopyle. The last photo I have with him.
"Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should go and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all."
-The Parting Glass