| Author | Message | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 882 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.249.250.60  Rating: N/A |
It's been a very long trip. 87 years and 4 months but my Dad is finally getting to go home for a well deserved rest! I haven't received the word officially yet but it's REAL close. They tell me that there is nothing more they can do other than to keep him comfortable and pain free, which he is. He was able to tell that I was present yesterday. I talked to him and told him I was proud of him and hoped he was as proud of me. I told him that we sure gave them hell and he muttered a weak "yep"! He handled all the surgeries and strong meds like it was nothing to it and I stood by him the whole time. I would do it again if I had to because he means that much to me. We were a team so to speak from way back when I was a just a boy! Every time we would sign off the phone or leave one another he wouldn't say see ya or good bye. He would always say (being the true trucker he is) "over and out" and yesterday when I was leaving I told him that if he wanted to go home (he didn't want to be in a nursing home from the start) that he could just get up and go. I told him not to wait for me and that I would catch up to him later. I told him that I wouldn't be able to see him every day but would see him as often as I could and he would be fine without me. I held his hand and when I told him I loved him and was happy that he was finally going home, he gave a weak smile that everyone liked to see and uttered "over and out"! This really hurts and I'm sure gonna miss my Dad! Ace | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 21 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 69.196.141.118  Rating: N/A |
Hi Ace I only know you at this board, But my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dave L. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 455 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 71.30.179.250 Rating: N/A |
Ace, sorry about your dad I lost my older brother a week ago last Friday but got to spend some good time with him Thursday night.As you get older it's a sad deal you have less friends and family it seems like everyday. Good luck and may God Bless | ||
| J.C.B. (Eagle)
Registered Member Username: Eagle Post Number: 144 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 166.214.218.80  Rating: N/A |
Ace sorry to hear about your Dad it is very heart warming to see a Son talk about the experiences he has had with his Dad the way you did in your OP. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your Dad. JCB | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 789 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.3.173.51  Rating: N/A |
Ace, Sorry yo hear about your Dad. I am glad you have been able to spend so much time with him, I know that means a lot to you and just think of all those fond memories you will have. Paula is really happy that we went to Illinois in May so she could spend some time with her father before he passed away in June (he was 87). We will keep your Dad, Susan and You in our prayers. Let us know if there is anything we can do. Jack | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 86 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 205.188.117.73 Rating: N/A |
Ace, i know the exact feeling you are having, i went through the very same thing in 1994 with my dad, whats really funny is he also lived in Lakeland Fla, i still want tp pick up the phone and call him, i really miss him a lot. sounds like you have done all you could do for him, i feel for you Frank Allen | ||
| c.w Van Hagen (Van)
Registered Member Username: Van Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 72.193.19.183  Rating: N/A |
ace,our prayers are with you and your dad ,let your life be a tribute to your dad and all he has done to strengthen your life and those lifes he has touched with his warmth,strength,and understanding.celebrate his life in a positive way GOD BLESS | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 91 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.197.246.104  Rating: N/A |
Ace, our prayers go up with the others for your dad and family. Our gospel music group does a cover of the the a cappella song by "Blue Highway" called "Someday". It has brought a lot of comfort when we do it for people who are near the end of this toil. I will try to leave a link to them doing it on you tube. I hope it comforts you. http://youtube.com/watch?v=w1OMvPo70H8&feature=related | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1398 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160  Rating: N/A |
Ace - Check your private email. . . RJ | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 269 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 71.55.193.220 Rating: N/A |
Ace; My thoughts and prayers are with you and family,as I and many others have lost a dad and mom miss them everyday and knowing that the Lord has everything under his wing. Father bless this family and comfort them in this time of heartache. Give them wisdom to understand and courage to continue in Your Peace and Love. Gomer riverjordanmusic.com | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 883 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.249.166.64 Rating: N/A |
Thank you everyone! John Tesser thanks for the YouTube link! Playing a little gospel/bluegrass myself, that meant a lot! RJ, I got your email and sorry for what you went thru at such a young age! Meant a lot to read that after I got home from seeing my dad! I want to ad that today I signed my dad up for Hospice care! Afterwards, I went to see him and he was a little more talkitive today than yesterday! He looked at me more today too and responded more. That made me feel good but I know he will go up and down! Told him I loved him and that he could go on home anytime he wanted to. He smiled and muttered a ok! Told him not to worry about me or Susan as we would be alright and when he got home he would be just fine on his own! No more pain, no more meds, no more problems! Nothing but plenty of rest and relaxation! He gave me a funny stare and finding it harder and harder to talk to him, I asked him if he believed in Angels. He said yea! I told him that a good looking angel would be coming to take him home and it was ok to let HER drive the new Kenworth with him riding shot gun! He smiled and said ok! He was able to give me a thumbs up like he always did and plainly said "over and out" when I told him we would check on him tomorrow! Thanks again EVERYONE! It really truly means so much to have a place like this to talk to people about personal stuff like this. Being an only child makes it kind of hard at these times but it sure was a fun ride while growing up with him as my dad! Ace | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 299 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 75.93.55.100  Rating: N/A |
Ace, I'm sorry to hear of this news. I am sure it can't be easy for you and Susan. That is one thing in my life I do not look forward to. My Dad is 85 and Mom is 82, in good health but you never know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. It is so good to hear of a son to talk about his father that way. And tell him that you Love Him. God Bless you and yours. Paul | ||
| Patrick Fitzmorris (Theperson10)
Registered Member Username: Theperson10 Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2008 Posted From: 71.106.89.213 Rating: N/A |
You have my prayer, new to this board though I am It seems that many of the people I meet online are losing, about to lose, or have lost someone. It makes me feel kinda guilty that I haven't lost anyone yet. | ||
| Dallas (Dal300)
Registered Member Username: Dal300 Post Number: 182 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 209.183.51.47 Rating: N/A |
Never hesitate to say "I love you". Sometimes there is no second chance. My mom and I hadn't gotten along for over 20 years, we seldom talked and when we did it always ended up in a fight of some kind, usually with one of us hanging up on the other. There was no question that we loved each other, and no question that we didn't say that often enough. One day my younger brother called me and let me know that mom had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and this combined with a radical mastectomy in the early 60's and uterine cancer also in the early 60's, the prognosis wasn't good. I finally called her about 3 days later and got the usual rebuffment and was told to call back at a certain time so we could talk. The appointed time came and went, while I was at work driving my truck trying to make a living. I called the next morning only to hear the phone ring and ring and ring. This worried me so I called my brother and had him run over to her trailer that was set up on hs farm. When he got there, he found her cold and stiff, far beyond any recovery. I never got the chance to say I love you the last time. Do YOU know when the last chance will be? Bless you Ace for taking care of family the way you do. Dallas | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 321 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.211.227.30 Rating: N/A |
Ace.we lost our dad two years ago Christmas...98 years he was around and we miss him. We know what yo u are experiencing just now. Our prayers include you and your family Proverbs 3:5 RCB | ||
| Jeffrey Smith (Greenhornet)
Registered Member Username: Greenhornet Post Number: 113 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 76.110.43.40 Rating: N/A |
Ace, Hospice is a wonderful group and I have nothing but good things to say about them. When my wife lost her mother they really helped out a lot. Take it day by day and try to cherish whatever time you have left. | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 885 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 206.53.144.29 Rating: N/A |
Well I got to see my dad yesterday for the last time. He smiled as best he could when I told him I was proud of what he had put up with over the last few years and that I loved him very much! He rested all night and today he passed away at 11:07 am. Thanks everyone for being here! Ace | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 791 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.3.173.51 Rating: N/A |
Ace, So sorry to hear that. At least he no longer has any pain and you two had a wonderful relationship. I know you will always have those fond memories. Our condolences to both you and Susan. Jack | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 484 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 153.2.246.31  Rating: N/A |
Incredibly touching. It’s truly wonderful to have the opportunity to say goodbye. What a blessing. Laryn | ||
| Jack Hart (Jackhartjr)
Registered Member Username: Jackhartjr Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 205.188.117.73 Rating: N/A |
Ace, in the words of Don Piper who wrote a wonderful book called "90 Minutes in Heaven"...this separation is temporary...you will see your Dad again soon! I just got home and had not read this until now. Dianne and me are Praying for you, Susan and your family. Jack-N-Dianne PS...So glad that you were able to communicate your Love for each other! Some don't...Howver...you did! | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 438 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
A tough thing it is to loose a loved one. . . At least you were able to spend time with him this past year. Cherish those memories as they will help make the loss bearable. The time I spent at the end with a favorite uncle with ALS sure did help me deal with the loss. | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 886 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.171.179 Rating: N/A |
Feeling a little crappy but so far so good as today was funeral day for my dad! I want to thank everyone one of you that called me, emailed me, pm'd me, and especially those of you that came to support Susan and I on this day. True friends you will always be and I'm sure my dad knows who you are if he didn't know you already! It was a short, nice, & simple ceremony with an honor guard at a National Cemetery located in Bushnell Florida. I did pretty good until they played Taps! That was sort of touching, to me anyway! It's a VERY pretty place that is well maintained. I'm sure pops is going to like it as I know I will when I visit! Since my dad outlived most all if not all of his close friends, it was just Susan and I, my cousin from Virginia who happened to be visiting his mother for a real estate closing, Susan's sister and husband and four very special local busing friends, Bill, Brenda, Manny, and Darlene! There were others that wanted to attend but being a work day, I encouraged them that work came first especially in this day and age! My dad would be the first one to say, "no, go do your job first"! Afterwards, we all went to lunch and just spent some great time together. It's too bad that something like this is what brings people together for good times! We all should make more time to be together just for the heck of it! Maybe I will! Again, thank you everyone and if I forgot to email you back, or call, I will, sooner or later! I have to get thru the rest of this one day at a time! Ace | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1402 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160 Rating: N/A |
Ace - As hard as it is right now, be thankful that at least you had closure with your father during his final hours. You will come to appreciate that closure even more as time heals the current wounds. I wish I could say the same for myself, as you know. . . Hoping to see you & Susan in Arcadia this winter? RJ | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 887 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.171.179 Rating: N/A |
Thanks RJ for everything! As for Arcadia? Susan and I have thought about skipping it this coming year. Looking for something a little different. We've been to Jack's so many times and although we enjoy it and the people, it sort of has become the same thing. With all due respect to Jack, it's a GREAT rally and I encourage everyone to attend. Just looking for a little something different this time but who knows what time will do. We may just be there as usuall! LOL Ace |