I was planning a couple things for today's post...
...a recent page I made and/or a recap from the weekend, which was quite eventful.
But then the phone rang shortly after I came home from Spin class this morning. It was Bob calling to tell me that he was on his way to the nursing home & asked that I join him. The hospice nurse called to say that his dad was not doing well and that he should come over. She suggested we also call family and let them know.
I spent the next 3 1/2 hours there with him until it was time to pick up Bryn from school. Bryn had a snack & did her homework, I finally got to take a shower, made an early dinner for Bob to come home & quickly join us, and then we were all back out the door to the nursing home.
I can only imagine how confusing it is for a 9-year old to experience what it looks like to watch your grandfather dying, but Bob wanted her to see him one more time before he passed away so we all went. Bryn spent most of the time on the chair playing with the Build-A-Bear app on Bob's cell phone... a way to tune out reality, I'm sure. Bob asked a few times that she talk to him, which she quickly did, but I kept whispering to him that he let her deal with this in her own way.
Bob & I held his dad's hands before I left tonight and I said the 23rd Psalm. It was my grandma's favorite prayer and the one my sister, my mom, my aunt & I all said as she passed away while we were holding her hands in the hospital that day. He's a very religious man & I just thought it might be comforting for him... or maybe it was just comforting for me.
Then I took Bryn home to get ready for bed, as she has an early day at school tomorrow with Scrapbook Club. I talked to Bryn before bed tonight & asked what she was feeling right now... "sad, worried, scared, all of the above, none of the above?" She said, "All of the above."
I told her that it helps a little bit to be able to say goodbye to someone before they pass away. I told her I didn't get to do that with my sister and I wished I could have. I also told her that even though Papa looks like he's in pain right now, when he does pass away it will be peaceful for him and he'll no longer be in any pain. WE will all be sad that he's gone, but HE will be ok.
After Bryn went to bed tonight, I started cleaning up downstairs to prepare for Bob's sister coming in town in the morning to stay with us. Then the phone rang around 9:30 tonight. It was Bob calling me from his cell phone to tell me his dad just stopped breathing. We both cried and said we were glad he was finally at peace and free from struggle. And then he got hung up to go get the nurse.
Bob's still waiting for the funeral home to get his dad & I'm still waiting for Bob to come home, but all will be ok... eventually. It's going to be a long week though. And what I really hate the most is that Bob just lost his best friend & that's going to take some time to deal with. Probably a long time.
And I know how hard that is...
Deana, So sorry to hear about your family's loss. Your father-in-law is now at peace. My prayers go out to you and your family. Deana
Posted by: Deana | January 25, 2011 at 01:38 AM
I'm so sorry for this loss. Just to let you know that I am praying for you and your family. Keep strong.
Posted by: lilith | January 25, 2011 at 02:08 AM
Oh, Deana. I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Sending big hugs your way. Sending loving thoughts to you and your family in this difficult time.
Posted by: Amy H | January 25, 2011 at 05:35 AM
Deana, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Posted by: Michele Marshall | January 25, 2011 at 09:46 AM
:hug: So sorry for your loss... Y'all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: asarasota | January 25, 2011 at 09:54 AM
I can only offer a virtual hug, but my thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
Posted by: Patchi | January 25, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Sweetie...I'm so sorry.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Posted by: Cassie | January 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Deana... I am so sorry for your families loss... and I have all ready messed this comment up by crying so much that I can't see the keys right... backspace has been my friend right now... Give Bob, Bryn and YOU a hug from us... love you all!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | January 25, 2011 at 11:32 AM
HUGS to your family, Deana.
Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Hugs my friend. My thoughts and prayers to Bob, you, and Bryn, and all the family members. Hugs and condolences!
Posted by: Jing-Jing Nickel | January 25, 2011 at 12:14 PM
So sorry to hear this, Deana. Thinking of you & your family. xo
Posted by: NancyD | January 25, 2011 at 01:38 PM
So sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Jennifer O. | January 25, 2011 at 02:21 PM
So sorry to read about your loss. I am thinking of you and yours and sending special prayers your way.
Posted by: Chris Aiton | January 25, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Oh Deana I am so sorry for your loss. I admire teh way you talked to Bryn, she has a wonderfull mom!! I wish you all the strength you need right now and will keep you and Bob and Bryn in my thougths!!
Hugs, Hanneke
Posted by: Hanneke | January 25, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Oh Deana, I'm so sorry to read about your loss.
I will be thinking about you and your family!
Lots of love,
Jenneke
Posted by: Jenneke | January 25, 2011 at 03:30 PM
I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Bryn is a lucky girl to have a mom like you to help her though this. What wonderful explanations you have for everything. Take care of Bob, Bryn and yourself. You're all in my thoughts.
Posted by: Antonia Krajicek | January 25, 2011 at 06:18 PM
I'm so sorry for your family's loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Posted by: Amber | January 25, 2011 at 08:16 PM
So sorry for your family's loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this.
Posted by: Diana Fisher | January 26, 2011 at 08:29 AM
i'm so sorry about your loss. you and your fsmily we'll be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
hugs,
isay
Posted by: isay | January 26, 2011 at 11:24 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss. Saying a prayer for your family.
Posted by: Bekka | January 26, 2011 at 04:37 PM
So sorry! Best wishes! I'm sorry this is so late in coming--I'm behind in blog reading!
Posted by: Kelly Massman | January 26, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Deana--I am so sorry to hear about Bob's father. Losing a loved one is never easy. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: MelanieJ | January 26, 2011 at 11:57 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss Dena! Wishing you all the strenght you all need!! Wil keep you all in my thoughts!
Posted by: Jeanet | January 28, 2011 at 02:24 AM
Deana, I will be praying for you... I will be praying for Bob... and I will be praying for Bryn... my heart is breaking for you, because it is a great loss... I will be praying for the days and weeks ahead... because I know this pain, and I know it will be hard... My heart is breaking for you... this loss is so hard.... I still cry at the loss of my dad this last year... and I know we should feel better that they are in a better place... but it's the missing... which is hard...
You & your family are in my heart... and my prayers during this very difficult time... I wish you peace and blessing as you remember how very much he loved you all... blessing my friend... blessings!
{{hugs & prayers}} Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | January 29, 2011 at 07:48 AM
I saw your post about the wake. I am so sorry for your loss. I was especially close to my grandfather and was actually his main supporter during his battle with cancer. My younger son accompanied me on almost every trip to the hospital, but he handled it very well. My older son was much more emotional. It is hard to lose a loved one. It is a comfort to know they are free from pain and in a better place, but we still miss them.
God bless your family, Deana.
Posted by: AmyInKY | January 31, 2011 at 11:19 PM
I am very sorry for your loss. May you be lifted in prayer! God bless your family!
Posted by: Darlene S. | February 07, 2011 at 10:50 PM