It was on Epiphany...
that my father died. May 2nd, 1923-January 6th, 2009.
He was hospitalized in CCU the week after Thanksgiving, moved to a medical floor, and then returned to CCU. Somehow, amazingly, he was able to come back enough to be released back to the nursing home on January 2nd, but the infections had weakened him dramatically, he was no longer able to eat on his own due to a swallowing problem, and I frankly think he decided to stop fighting and let go.
Since the University was closed between Christmas and New Year's, I was able to spend quite a bit of time with him and I'm grateful for that. I'm incredibly grateful for his presence in my life, and that he really only had about a year at the end where his quality of life was such that he rarely seemed to be taking any pleasure in life, between his physical ills and the mental losses following his surgery last May.
Well into his eighties he was a fountain of practical knowledge, active, alert and engaged. He never met a person he couldn't talk with. He was an usher at church for over 60 years (he started during college) and an African couple at his funeral service told me that they knew that it was the right church for them because he was always so friendly and happy to see them. Even at the nursing home, when his dementia lead to worrying and fretting endlessly, he made friends who looked out for him.
I'm glad he is at peace and I know he would not have wanted to continue as he was, but I loved him dearly and I miss him very much. For all of you who have listened as he was going downhill, and gave me support and hugs, please know that your support was and is very much appreciated.
He was hospitalized in CCU the week after Thanksgiving, moved to a medical floor, and then returned to CCU. Somehow, amazingly, he was able to come back enough to be released back to the nursing home on January 2nd, but the infections had weakened him dramatically, he was no longer able to eat on his own due to a swallowing problem, and I frankly think he decided to stop fighting and let go.
Since the University was closed between Christmas and New Year's, I was able to spend quite a bit of time with him and I'm grateful for that. I'm incredibly grateful for his presence in my life, and that he really only had about a year at the end where his quality of life was such that he rarely seemed to be taking any pleasure in life, between his physical ills and the mental losses following his surgery last May.
Well into his eighties he was a fountain of practical knowledge, active, alert and engaged. He never met a person he couldn't talk with. He was an usher at church for over 60 years (he started during college) and an African couple at his funeral service told me that they knew that it was the right church for them because he was always so friendly and happy to see them. Even at the nursing home, when his dementia lead to worrying and fretting endlessly, he made friends who looked out for him.
I'm glad he is at peace and I know he would not have wanted to continue as he was, but I loved him dearly and I miss him very much. For all of you who have listened as he was going downhill, and gave me support and hugs, please know that your support was and is very much appreciated.