The Longest Good-Bye

My Dad had a serious bout of the flu last weekend. Easter weekend, in fact.  I am now being told that he weighs 119 pounds.  He probably wasn't more than that prior to the flu, his system is just not absorbing food anymore. 

Before his "episode" of the flu, I was able to ask him questions about how he wants his funeral handled- Open or Closed Casket: Open "I want people to know who's in there."  Casual clothes or Suit: SUIT!  "I think I have a green one-that's the one I'd like (he does have a green suit- right on target with that).  I told him of this amazing group of caskets that are hand-made by Trappist Monks in Dubuque, Iowa- he liked that idea too.

We had a chance to return to his room and watched a "Seven Stations of the Cross" on the Catholic Television network. It was Holy Saturday and watching a reenactment of Jesus journey through Jerusalem to his crucifixion on Good Friday seemed appropriate.  Dad was able to watch the show and comment appropriately-it may have been just slow enough for him to follow. He even commented that the man narrating the story was "very good."

There are many "events" I replay in my mind in this past week-the times my Dad helped pick me up from my early days at college, when I was homesick. When he would sit and talk to me about the heartache of losing a boyfriend.  He advised my friends and my friends' boyfriends on life events. With his self-effacing humor and interest in the journey of young people, he made everyone feel like he was there to be a friend, even a "cheerleader" to take them through life.

Now, we the younger people are taking him through his journey to eternal life. His inability to keep weight on will be his demise. I've had to review the memos to myself nearly a year ago when we decided any further treatment would be futile.  I still had opportunities to enjoy each and every visit for an entire year. I still make a point to take a snapshot in my mind with each visit and interaction-almost like having my mind "freeze" the moment, so I always remember it.