Bittersweet

What a bittersweet time this is in our lives.  Dad was on a steady decline as Mom neared the end of her life on Earth.  Since her passing, he has taken a much quicker turn for the worst.  Or is it?  I have been contemplating that and I know the answer.  It is so bittersweet that Jean, Glenda, Danny and I will be losing our Dad so quickly after Mom, but the blessing is that Dad and Mom will be reunited in God's gloriful kingdom! 

A couple of weeks ago we asked the caretakers to carefully document all of Dad's intake.  Each day, as Mom's condition worsened, Dad ate and drank less.  The morning that he found out she had passed, he stopped eating and drinking anything.  He would simply refuse any offerings.  The effects of malnutrition hit him Tuesday.

I arrived Tuesday morning and literally watched Dad's condition worsen hour by hour.  Earlier that day he was able to somewhat help the caretaker get him from his recliner to the wheelchair.  As the day wore on, he became weaker and weaker until he had no use of his legs.  At that point I had the hospital bed delivered. 

Our family and the precious caretakers are on a 24-hour vigil with Dad.  The hospital bed is in the living room and someone is sitting with him constantly.  I can't say enough good things about the caretakers Christina, JR, Darlene and Matthew in their loving care for our Dad.  They have been such a blessing to our family!  Christina has been with Mom and Dad the longest, since we were first able to convince Mom to have help.  Christina is suffering with us.  She is the nighttime caretaker and, in fact, when her shift was over at 8:00 this morning, she asked to stay here and continue to be with me and Dad.  I insisted that she sleep in the back bedroom and JR and I have taken over her vigil. 

Please pray to our precious Lord to open the gates of Heaven and allow Mom to lead Dad through them.  They will then be dancing in each other's arms for all eternity!

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy
Psalm 30:11