It was going to happen. And, we knew it was going to happen sooner than later. But that didn't make it any easier.
Some may have noticed my absence over the last couple of weeks. That was because I was called out of town; my father, whose health had been slowly failing, suffered a heart attack on the 18th and passed away on the 26th, one week ago today.
His passing was peaceful and a profound experience for those of us in the room with him. He felt no pain, just slipped away between one breath and the next. And he knew we were there, I am convinced.
My mother is doing well. She has a support system in the community where she lives that is exemplary - great friends who support her and grieve with her, who are literally steps from her door should the emptyness become overwhelming - not that I expect she would ever allow it to become so. Classy lady, and strong, my Mom.
My brothers, too, showed thier true colors in the past two weeks. I'm proud to be related to them. And there's no doubt as to the eventual sainthood of Mrs. Dawg....
I'm fine - I don't need to hear that he's gone to a better place, I know that. I don't need anyone to tell me how he is now free of pain - he was free of pain before he left us (he had said he had come away with no memory of the heart attack itself). I am sharing this with you all for the simple reason that this community is a second home for me and those of you within it deserve to know.
I'm sharing it with you because this event is something that 99.9% of us will go through, eventually.
Dad's last hours were spent at a hospice in Tucson. While I was, intellectually, very much in favor of such a place and program, I am now a true believer, having been through it first-hand. It takes a special person to work in such an environment, where the last stage of life itself is the day-to-day reality, and they deserve all the credit and plaudits we can give them for making the end of life as easy as possible on both the person departing this veil of tears, and the family left behind.
So, if you wish to honor the memory of Dawg's Dad (or even if you don't), I encourage you to contribute to a local hospice. If you don't have one in your area, I can make a suggestion of a wonderful hospice in Tucson, Arizona.
Thank you.
Peace.
I am
Dawg
