As many of you know, my life here as been on the go and crazy for the past month, specifically the past week. On Sat Dan returned from
Nicaragua at 11:00 pm and we went to the hospital where we had memory night with Dad. We sat around until 2:45 am reminiscing about the good times growing up. Dad had wanted us to have this time of family sharing and I am forever grateful we were able to have this with him. Many times people don’t have the chance to reflect and say goodbye to a loved one before they die.
Sunday Dan and I were married in Dad’s hospital room and were so blessed to have it there for Dad. As exciting as the wedding was, the night became long as I had an abscessed tooth come up that was so painful we almost went to the emergency room for a lidocaine shot. It was by far the worst pain I have ever been in. As I lay there all night unable to sleep from the pain, I kept thinking my tooth hurts so badly, but my Daddy hurts this bad all over from his cancer. I prayed for relief for my Daddy during the night.
Early Mon morning we called the emergency dentist line and were able to get me antibiotics and pain medicine. God was definitely with us as we were able to meet the dentist at 08:30 am when they opened to be seen and I had an endodontist appointment for 11:45 am. While at the endodontist, my family called from the hospital and said Dad could pass within the hour as he was beginning to drift in and out of consciousness. So I rescheduled the root canal for Tues morning and off to the hospital we went.
Dad was unconscious but able to hear as hearing is one of the last senses to go. Dad didn’t have any difficulty breathing and received his breathing treatments to make sure no difficulties arose. We read Dad his devotional daily as the chemo made it hard for him to read. He often asked us to read ahead and Captain Susan from the Salvation Army read Dad his devotional that day ending on Aug 11th (the day of Dad’s funeral). At 8:40 pm Dad left us here on earth and went to be with Jesus in heaven. After staying at the hospital until midnight after the funeral home came from out of town, we went home.
I stayed in much pain until the root finally died Mon night, when I received some relief and I had the root canal Tuesday morning. Again God was in this as my dental insurance with Dan kicked in on Tues and is covering part of the procedure. Definitely a blessing from God.
My friends have been so supportive during this time. They came to the hospital almost daily and Jessica took off from work to take me to the appointment so Dan wouldn’t have to miss so much work. Jennifer had given me a key to her house to live with her upon my unexpected arrival to the States. Jennifer let me come over after the procedure and rest at her house as she looked after me-as I had been up several nights in a row with Daddy and my tooth pain. My friends have shown me selfless, unconditional, Christ filled love that I will never forget.
Wednesday I dropped Samuel off at art camp (Dan had been previously), then my Uncle John and I went to the hospital to have Dad’s car jumped off by AAA and get a new battery as the battery died while we were at the hospital (I had been driving Dad’s car since returning home). Then off to the funeral home (1 hour drive each way to
Chester,
SC) to view Dad’s body and finish any arrangements that needed to be taken care of. Back to
Spartanburg for an appointment before picking up Samuel from camp. More errands to run.
Thurs I dropped Samuel off at camp and then Heidi (my sister) and I went back to the funeral home to drop off pictures of Dad for the video and then back to Spartanburg for friends and family at my parents’ home from 1-8pm. Friday again I dropped Samuel off at art camp and ran some errands in town before we headed to the funeral home for friends and family in Chester until 8:00pm.
Saturday the funeral was at 3:00pm. The service was wonderful as it reflected well on Dad’s life and many of Dad’s favorite praise and worship songs were sung.-Dad was able to write out his own funeral and pick out the songs that were sung and the message that was given. It was difficult closing this chapter of our lives, but the Lord comforted us that day along with many others and He continues to comfort us as we adjust to life without Daddy. Sat night we returned home to Spartanburg.
Looking out at the choir and orchestra Sun as we sat in the pew Dad and I used to sit in, I kept thinking of how many times more what I was hearing and experiencing was Dad a part of in heaven now. I have rested in the arms of Jesus this week, as with everything going on and trusted God not to give me more than I can handle. I had no idea and would never have picked so much to handle in one week, but God has been faithful and seen me through this difficult time. I encourage anyone out there reading this when they feel their ship is sinking and they can’t handle anything else, to hang on and let God carry them through. That is what I had to do. There is no way I could have endured all of this alone. I don’t know how people who don’t know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior are able to cope with life’s battles alone. I rest in God, knowing I am never alone and will never have more than I can cope with. I pray that each of you has this peace that only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can bring.
Thank you all for your prayers as I have definitely needed them and felt them this week, being the hardest so far.
