I now believe in miracles, because I witness one first hand today.
Everyone had arrived last night except for my oldest son and Hope. The house was full, just like Dad liked it to be. We had made plans that regardless of when Dad actually passed we would have our celebration today. It was going to be a day of eating and enjoying being together and sharing stories about Dad. We just knew it would be as he wanted, but this morning our planes changed.
My brother and I were sitting around Dads bed talking; our wives and a few others had join us and we were just enjoying the quiet time with Dad (even though he was comatose). Then it happen, his eyes opened wide and he looked around at us all. I was completely shocked (because he never made eye contact before). Then he said: “Is this heaven?” I said; “no Dad its home”……. Then it dawn on me about how great it was to hear him talk, he is actually talking! We hugged; everyone took turns hugging him and he was carrying on a conversation with each one just like he used to before.
Everyone took turns going into the bed room and talking to Dad. He knew everyone by name and asked them all about things he remembered going on in there lives. He was back, he was my Dad again. Later after the shock wore off and everyone settled down a little my bothers and I talked to Dad. He began to tell us a story just like he used to when we were kids. I made the bad mistake of telling him we had heard it before and it upset him (I wished I had kept my mouth shut). He never did like being interrupted when he was telling a story (and I never learned to just shut up and listen). Fortunately an ice breaker came in the door about that time…Hope!
Hope and Dad were together again, it was like they picked up were they left off pretending in there own little way. She did not seem surprised at all that he was talking. She stayed right by him the rest of the day, and they talked and whispered to each other.
But then as the night came Dads mood began to change, and I feared his mind was drifting off again. He began to talk about Mom, like she was there with us. He said: “You’re Moms ready to go now, so I guess I better start saying goodbye to everyone”. His grand children, our wives and finely us brother took turns saying our fare well too him some how we just knew this was the only chance we would get. Dad took time to wipe each tear and tell them he would see them again soon. Just like he was going around the corner to the store and would be right back. Then Hope climbed up on the bed (as Dad looked off in the distance and said: “I’m coming Baby, I’ll be right there” just like he was talking to Mom). Hope hugged his neck and said: “Good bye Gran-B, I will see you later”. Then Dad said: “I love you Hope, remember what I said”. She nodded, climbed off the bed and walked into the next room like she was on a mission, all eyes were on her. We did not notice Dad slip away, but just like that he was gone.
My mind is spinning with all I have to do, but at least everyone is in town and we can do the services right away. One more unusual thing happened, but I would not say it is a miracle. Dad wrote one last page of notes between visits with everyone. Just as I was beginning to wonder what happen to them, my wife called me to the window and we saw Hope out in the back yard with a flash light and a can, she was burying it (her dad was helping). I guess that was what the whispering was about. She and Dad are still pretending.
This is the end of my days with dad, I am glad I got to share these last days with him, now we will lay him to rest, I just have to get in touch with the funeral home. As I was trying to call them the power went out and I lost service to the phone. I hope it comes back on soon………………….
Go to THE END
