Since March, it’s been rough ’round these parts. Not diminishing what has happened to countless victims of Rona. But fortunately for us, we deal with that in the abstract. Sure by now we know of a friend of a friend, someone from work but we have not experienced Covid up close and personal.
Last night, my bestest friend on the planet lost her daddy after years of battling cancer. Since October 9, he had been in and out of the hospital. He managed to stay Covid free but he developed a staph infection. This past Tuesday he decided enough. No more poking and prodding. He was stopping all treatment. He wanted to go home for Thanksgiving.
When he took his last breath, he was surrounded by his loved ones. His wife of 56 years (it was their anniversary to boot, they had just renewed their vows, and he was given his last rites all on the same day), his two daughters and son-in-law. I’m told his passing was peaceful, he just went to sleep. Who could ask for better circumstance.
My friend’s daddy was like a second father to me. I spent lots of time at their house growing up. Some things I will always remember about him is that he had a hot rod car, he played the piano by ear, and he loved his oldies. Oh and I should mention he was the best friend and next door neighbor of B’s dad, our PoPo. Small world isn’t it? PoPo loves the oldies too.
As they decorated for Christmas, his music was playing in the background. Every once and a while he’d open his eyes and say “now that’s a good song”. Then he’d close his eyes again, listening. Imagining that quality time with him in his last hours makes me smile through the tears. QEPD/RIP. Heaven gained another angel.
As always, more to come.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 