Rest In Peace Dad

My dad went into hospice on Wednesday, September 4 and I flew down on the 6th to be with him.

The hospice facility was phenomenal because not only did they take such great care of my dad but they also cared for me and my sisters, our whole family! There were only 4 patients in the facility and the nurses and assistants would bake fresh cookies for the family members every day, they made sure there was plenty of coffee and tea. The rooms even have couches and recliners so you can spend the night with your loved one! One night my sister and I were awake at 2 am so we went out and talked with one of the nurses for quite a while. They made you feel so at home there. 

I spent a lot of time out on the back patio

A very calm and peaceful living room

My dads room was big and most evenings all the family would gather to look at pictures and reminisce.

All week I'd been praying I'd be there when he passed away but he kept holding on. I even extended my stay by a couple of days but it looked like it wasn't gonna happen. About 45 minutes before I was due to leave, I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Well dad it looks like I'm gonna have to leave for home before you do. I love you and I'm gonna miss you so much." 

On Wednesday, September 11 at 12:37pm my sister and I stood together next to his bed and we had our arms around each others waist when my dad took his last breath. Even though we had been expecting it, it still came as a shock. We cried and hugged each other and she went out to get the nurse.

I picked up my phone to text Chuck and saw the message from Super Shuttle telling me my ride was outside waiting to take me to the airport. 

I was still crying when I went outside to tell the driver that my dad had just passed away and could he give me 5 minutes. He apologized, he felt so bad and said he could wait. One of the NAs came out with me and asked the driver if he would like some coffee. They ministered to absolutely everybody involved!

I went back in and called our other sister, then I got my suitcase and Deb walked me out to the shuttle. It was a whirlwind few minutes but I'm so grateful the Lord let me be there when he died!

John Theodore Burke

November 23, 1924 - September 11, 2019

My mom and dad

Me, my sisters and our dad

My daughters and granddaughter

 Taken in August 2019

Not a Kid Anymore

Beth volunteered in the office this week. It's been so cold here lately, temps in the 20's and freezing fog that she stayed inside at the elementary school on Monday. I'm guessing the kids played in the gym instead of going outside as well. When she was leaving the house that morning I told her goodbye and said, "Have a great day!" She mumbled something then slammed the door. Okaaay.

Tuesday she went bowling. There are so many people on this league that the bowling alley has told them that they plan to turn over the entire place to them! They have well over 40 lanes!! That's a lot of bowlers! That afternoon we went to the mall and when we stopped at Auntie Anne's Pretzels I was able to ask her why she slammed the door. She gave me her 'go to' response that she always gives when she doesn't want to answer, a shrug of the shoulders and "I dunno." Then I gave her my 'go to' response to that and said, "Yes you do. Just tell me." She finally told me that she doesn't want me talking to her in the morning. She couldn't tell me why though. But okay. I can live with that. For now. For now I will think about this and see if I can figure out why she doesn't want me talking to her.

Wednesday was karaoke and art. She forgot to set her alarm and I woke her up about 20 minutes before she was to walk out the door. But she made it!! As she came upstairs I went back to the office. I stood there while she put on her jacket and headed for the door. Diana was talking with her and told her goodbye and she seemed okay with that.

I'm not sure what this is all about. I think maybe she feels like a little kid when I tell her goodbye. I've told her goodbye since she was little so maybe she's still feeling little when she hears it? Maybe? Sometimes so much of this life is a guessing game.

We all tell each other goodbye though; I try not to let anyone leave the house without saying goodbye. Chuck and I always kiss - always - so I'll need to tell her I say goodbye because I love her. Not because she's a little kid, but because it's what families do, because I love her. And we'll see if that helps!