I had the opportunity to spend an hour with my Pastor to tell him all the wonderful things that have happened to me and my family during this most difficult time. I will write all of the stories soon here. He then asked me to help him with his sermon. I am sure I will be a little nervous, but this new faith journey I have just begun is SO COOL to me.
The sermon is for Confirmation Sunday. Pastor Todd will be talking about how GOD is sometimes hard to feel and how do we have faith if we can not see or feel him. So I am going to tell 2 of my stories from the last few weeks of my Dads life that I was able to feel GOD! I hope that some of the kids really take it to heart and feel GOD some day like I did. It took me 32 years, so it will come some day!
All I can say is "THANK YOU DAD FOR ALL YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THESE PAST FEW WEEKS, IT HAS CHANGED ME FOREVER! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
WE LOVE YOU DAD
On Saturday, Jeff, Tina, Tommy, Riley, Billy and I went back to SC to say goodbye to Dad. We knew this was going to be the last time we were going to see him, so we were prepared. Saturday and Sunday were much like we expected in dad. He was in a hospital bed, with medical equipment all around him. My aunt Janet and Uncle Clem were taking care of dad. As soon as we got there they left for a much needed break. We were responsible for dad. At first this scared the crap out of me but I amazed myself how quickly everyone just stepped up and did it.
We spent the whole weekend with dad and we each had time to talk to dad on our own. I was able to tell dad several times that I did not want him to suffer for us. It was time he went to be with the lord. It was a better place for him. He really did not seem to respond too much, but squeezed our hands to tell us he was there!
My cousin Joanne, whom I have not seen in over 20 years, also came to be with us during this time. What a god sent she was to us as well. She just lost her mom, Dads sister, this past November, so she has been through all of this. I know it was hard for her to revisit all of this, but she was so strong for us. THANK YOU JOANNE!
The day we were leaving, Monday, was the hardest on all of us. We knew we would never see him again. He was very aware and agitated that day. He had his eyes open the most we had seen in several weeks that day. He responded to our conversations, we read him cards, and played him phone messages, and told him again to go. Just before we were getting ready to leave Tina and Tommy decided to take Riley to the Dr, she had been crying all day. The stress levels rose then Tina came in to tell us Ry had a double ear infections. I saw GODs plan once again. Tina and Ry stayed with dad.
The next morning, Tuesday the 4th, Tina called me to tell me Dad was cold. I knew this was the end, as my Aunt Gayle forewarned me of this. About 20 minutes later Dad went to be with the lord. He went peacefully and surrounded by his family. I know Dad did not want to die with all of us here. He needed us to leave to go. And I am at peace with that. I am sorry that Tina had to see and deal with this with out Me or my brother. But I know this is what dad wanted. It is so hard to day goodbye, but am so very thankful for the time we had together over the weekend.
We hopped in the car with kids in tow and travelled back to SC. It was a a long 16 hour car ride, but we survived! Joanne and her family stayed with us in SC, which was also another blessing from GOD for me.
We had a memorial mass for Dad in SC and will have one on May 16th at St. Bernards in Plainfield at 3PM. There will also be another one at St Thomas Church in Staten Island on May 29th. Dad was loved by many all over the place!
Before we returned home to NJ we got dads cremains. At first I thought this was going to creep me out, but I think I have to say it has brought me comfort. Dad is sitting in my living room. I hear the kids talk to him. I too tell him good morning and goodnight everyday. I think I will really miss him when he is buried!
Thank you everyone for your prayers and comments. We know how much dad was loved and will be missed! If you are interested at all we are asking for donations to be made to Agape Hospice in lieu of flowers. Dad was taking as a charity case from Agape because he did not have health insurance. They were the kindest people I have ever met and they were truly angels. I can not thank them enough!!!
AGAPE HOSPICE
433 First Ave
Ridgeland, SC 29936
We spent the whole weekend with dad and we each had time to talk to dad on our own. I was able to tell dad several times that I did not want him to suffer for us. It was time he went to be with the lord. It was a better place for him. He really did not seem to respond too much, but squeezed our hands to tell us he was there!
My cousin Joanne, whom I have not seen in over 20 years, also came to be with us during this time. What a god sent she was to us as well. She just lost her mom, Dads sister, this past November, so she has been through all of this. I know it was hard for her to revisit all of this, but she was so strong for us. THANK YOU JOANNE!
The day we were leaving, Monday, was the hardest on all of us. We knew we would never see him again. He was very aware and agitated that day. He had his eyes open the most we had seen in several weeks that day. He responded to our conversations, we read him cards, and played him phone messages, and told him again to go. Just before we were getting ready to leave Tina and Tommy decided to take Riley to the Dr, she had been crying all day. The stress levels rose then Tina came in to tell us Ry had a double ear infections. I saw GODs plan once again. Tina and Ry stayed with dad.
The next morning, Tuesday the 4th, Tina called me to tell me Dad was cold. I knew this was the end, as my Aunt Gayle forewarned me of this. About 20 minutes later Dad went to be with the lord. He went peacefully and surrounded by his family. I know Dad did not want to die with all of us here. He needed us to leave to go. And I am at peace with that. I am sorry that Tina had to see and deal with this with out Me or my brother. But I know this is what dad wanted. It is so hard to day goodbye, but am so very thankful for the time we had together over the weekend.
We hopped in the car with kids in tow and travelled back to SC. It was a a long 16 hour car ride, but we survived! Joanne and her family stayed with us in SC, which was also another blessing from GOD for me.
We had a memorial mass for Dad in SC and will have one on May 16th at St. Bernards in Plainfield at 3PM. There will also be another one at St Thomas Church in Staten Island on May 29th. Dad was loved by many all over the place!
Before we returned home to NJ we got dads cremains. At first I thought this was going to creep me out, but I think I have to say it has brought me comfort. Dad is sitting in my living room. I hear the kids talk to him. I too tell him good morning and goodnight everyday. I think I will really miss him when he is buried!
Thank you everyone for your prayers and comments. We know how much dad was loved and will be missed! If you are interested at all we are asking for donations to be made to Agape Hospice in lieu of flowers. Dad was taking as a charity case from Agape because he did not have health insurance. They were the kindest people I have ever met and they were truly angels. I can not thank them enough!!!
AGAPE HOSPICE
433 First Ave
Ridgeland, SC 29936
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