I shared in an earlier post that my father was unexpectedly diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 lung cancer in December. Our family went back to see him in January and I had plans to go to see him again in March. On Sunday he was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia and on Wednesday he passed away peacefully in the ICU with my brother holding his hand. I have a flight booked to arrive in Arizona on Sunday but he went faster than any of us expected.
Words are hard right now. For decades, my father lived with chronic pain from a spinal cord condition and now he’s finally free from suffering. But I miss him. I wanted more time with him. I wasn’t ready for him to go. I’ll let pictures speak for me because the words are hard.
I appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, and comments. I may not be very responsive – because words are hard – but I appreciate you during this very sad time for me. The MCC team here made me a lovely card with Psalm 34:18 on it.
We are so sorry for your loss, Charles and Crystal, Charlotte, Catherine and Caleb. May God bring comfort to you and your whole family. We are praying for you all.
Thanks, Charles, for the excellent pictures and memories. May God surround you and your family as you travel and grieve, and spend time together remembering your Father’s life. Keeping you in our hearts and prayers.
Thinking of you so much, Charles!
So sorry Charles. Ruth
Dearest Charles, our thoughts and prayers continue daily for you especially now since plans are topsy turvey. I can’t imagine having to wait to be with your siblings till the memorial. Thank you for sharing as much as you have. We are here for you in whatever way we can be helpful. Our love surrounds you even when words are at a loss…
I do realize that words are not enough, but I am so sorry for such a major loss in you family.
I can’t imagine your depth of feelings with the physical distance between you.
After both of my folks went to heaven and we were cleaning their home, I found this poem that my mom had saved. I love its simplicity of perspective – it was actually from a Dear Abby column !
It’s titled “A Parable of Immortality,” by Henry Van Dyke:
“I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white
Tame sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says,
‘There she goes!’
“Gone where? Gone from my sight
-that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment
when someone at my side says, There she goes!’ there are other eyes watching the ship passing out of a harbor and across her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, ‘Here she comes!”
THE STAR-LEDGER, Saturday, March 25, 1989
Praying for comfort and peace for you and your family, Charles. It’s such a blessing to be assured that your father is safe in the Shepherd’s arms. Those same arms are now lifting you and your family with the love and care of your family and friends .
Thinking of you and holding you close.