Thank you. It doesn't seem real. He did tell Mom that he was tired of being sick on Saturday before he went to bed. And he didn't get up again. We were all there with him this past week. The brain cancer was awful. I am glad he was able to say he was ready to go and I hope he heard that we loved him but were letting him go.
My uncle just called to tell me one of my dad's cousin's passed away. She was no one I knew very well, but she was very close to my dad once upon a time, so I feel bad for her kids.
I am very sorry. It's a hard situation.
As I was driving home, I saw a man lying barely off of the local highway not moving. I immediately stopped, grabbed my phone and called 911. A few other people stopped after me and the man responded slowly to them while I was on the phone with dispatch. He looked homeless or near that and was very incoherent.
Thankfully once the paramedics arrived, they thought they recognized him and that he was diabetic along with other issues. So I am hoping that he's doing a lot better now. I am so grateful that my Dad was privileged enough to have people around him taking care of him while he was sick and that he had the means to have medical care.
It was a little traumatic to think about. One of the people who stopped after me actually had seen him walking on the side of the road and then fall over so he absolutely wasn't hit. The guy just had a truck with a trailer attached so he had to slow down and then turn around. I was heartened by the people who stopped and talked to the man and got him a blanket and told him we wanted him to feel better.
I cried the rest of the way home once he was being taken care of and was more alert. And stopped at my Mom's for a hug.
eta:
I'm glad you were able to spend the week with him, as well as these many months.
I am so grateful for this. Being here was the right decision. Absolutely.
{{Cass}} I moved when my dad was diagnosed with cancer to be near him. It was the best decision for me and my family. It is wonderful that your father was surrounded by love when he was ready to go. Really, what more can we ask for.
Please take care of yourself now. Loss can do a real number on your immune system. It will be hard to not overdo, but try and be gentle with yourself. Love you.
{{{{Cass}}}}
I am so, so sorry. Much love and ~ma to you and yours.
It is wonderful that your father was surrounded by love when he was ready to go. Really, what more can we ask for.
Given his situation, we were more than blessed. And having everyone there was good. This has been a long year and I know he struggled and had a lot of difficult situations but the end was peaceful so I am really grateful for that.
Being loved and knowing that you will be missed but that those left behind will take care of each other, it's the best we can ask.
I just miss my Dad.
There's a Facebook picture up that I really like. I'm not linking for privacy but I think everyone here knows how to find me (or ask). My sister put it up but my name brings it right up.
My condolences to you and your family, Cass. Losing a parent is hard.
My condolences, Cass. I know the past several months have been really difficult for you and your family. I'm glad there was a peaceful exit. That's probably the best you could have hoped for.
Much 'ma for you all.
Cass, I'm so very sorry. I'm glad you could be there this week.
I spent the day at the Animal Welfare League intake center. That's always a tough day, though rewarding too. At least one of the dogs I spent time with will almost certainly not survive much longer. Pitt mix who is just super crazy hyperactive and more dog focused than people. And kennel cough. He's not barky, but that's about all he's got going for him. Another, also a pitt, was sweet as can be but so so terrified of everyone and everything. He's hopefully got a bit more promise.
I also bagged about 500 lbs of dog chow, so shoulders a little stiff. They do a food pantry for people who can't afford to buy food for their pets. Last time about 450 people showed up. In some ways that's one of the most effective things they can do to keep animals from being surrendered or abandoned.
Now to go hang with my actual dog for a while.
I'm sorry, Cass. {{Cass}}
