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| Three years ago, in 2010, Dad just been re-diagnosed with cancer, now metastasized. My sister and her new husband and myself and my fiance got to spend Father's Day with Mom and Dad in PA. What we thought would be our last Father's Day with him. |
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| This June 2013, we were together again, with Dad's health in severe and steady decline. A painful celebration. |
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| Dad and I both faced life passages in our bodies, juxtaposed with unique discomforts and losses, but as I gained, he lost weight. It was so hard to watch. |
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| He joined in meals whether or not he could enjoy them. He could taste some things, but since his GI was ruined, he could no longer send anything of substance down there without paying heavily for it in pain and vomiting. His presence remained one of courage and grace and even peace. Here we are celebrating the men and fathers in our family with D&A and their family who live locally to support Mom and Dad through this time. |
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| M and I transported 2 bunnies from VA just to add some cuteness or comfort to the occasion. But in fact it was my nephew who added the cuteness! |
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| On Memorial Day wkend, my entire family was able to be all together, including my sister and husband serving in Kenya, who came home to be with us since Dad had taken a very serious turn. |
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| We had some pictures taken, knowing it would be the last with all 20 of us present in body. |
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| Us five sibs with Mom and Dad |
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| Mom and all her daughters |
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| Living on spare clear liquids for weeks, Dad's body used up all its resources as nutrition. For the last 11 days, he took nothing more than ice chips and was too weak to carry his tall frame out of bed for the last 8. Here he's delighting in aromatic bouquets collected by my sister. His hunger was gone, but his mind, his senses and his personality remained keen to the end. |
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| Not knowing it would be the last week together, I finally got to spend a chunk of tim in PA with my parents, being present and caring for my Dad. It was an incredible privilege. |
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| We watched 4th of July fireworks online and skyped with grandkids. Dad was fully aware of the extent of his suffering and his growing powerlessness. His voice fainted to an inaudible whisper, but his ability to communicate did not. He exuded gratefulness for care and made a point to bless all of his kids and their spouses in person. The peace and freedom that he lived and died with had a powerful effect on us and will continue to, as living with his absence has just begun. |
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| Anyone who knew Dad, knew that Mom was his greatest treasure. And he was hers. |
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| Dad's body died on July 6th, 2013, after a valiant final 12 hours. We were with him, utterly shocked that he was suddenly gone, while cheering through our tears for him to cross the finish line to freedom from his suffering. |
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| What!? How??! Why??! So soon? And one month has now passed since Dad's death. and it is still a mystery. We don't know what to do except to watch his zinnias bloom, share the prolific trombetta squash, and ache. |
