I was my father's main care giver the last weeks of his life, it was his wish to be at home not in a hospital hooked up to machines with strangers at his side.
My brother and sisters all were working at the time and I was the only one at the time to do this. They were there every weekend and every chance they had! Taking care of him, praying for him and just being the family he was so proud of There was much pain but much "JOY" we shared in the love Daddy gave us and the love and understanding we shared together.
,The last days were taking it's toll on his 80 year old wife and myself, we had gone without sleep for too long and were just exhausted. When my sister Pat called from Florida as she did every day and sometimes many times a day, she said "what can I do to help?" I said " PLEASE send the host of angels to keep daddy company tonight I have to get some sleep." Slipping ever so closely to the other side he is frightened by being alone even though I am only a few steps away!
After crawling into our bed and saying good night, We closed our eyes to get a few minutes rest if we could, and we heard daddy, we perked up ready to go to him when we realized it was sighs of JOY and moans of HAPPINESS. We could hear soft voices all around him, we laid there looking at one another not understanding why we were hearing voices in the other room from the baby monitor I used to listen for dad. We lay their trying to listen but could tell he was all right and happy.
His wife was frightened by this and didn't understand but I only felt relief and peace. I knew the angels had come to keep him company and safe for the night I quickly fell asleep.
I woke up 3 hours later feeling as though I had a full nights sleep it was very quiet, went to check on dad and he was resting peacefully everything was quiet he was no longer afraid and he passed over only days later. But I well NEVER FORGET THEIR VISIT THAT NIGHT!
Hospice
Hospice has touched my life twice now! My first experience with them was in Michigan when my father was terminally ill with Cancer. I was over come with the thought that I would have to take care of him in his last days. But this was my fathers wish! His Hospice nurse explained everything to me and said they would be there to help whenever I needed them. Their Love, Care and understanding was so comforting to all of us, but most of all their patient our father, he always knew he was in good hands, and with people who cared about his wishes above all! I well always to eternally grateful for this experience!
My second experience was helping to care for my husbands mother. This time I knew what to expect and again the same joy from such a difficult time to know that they always understood and were always there to help in anyway they could. My husband is terminally ill with emphysema, when his time is near I pray that this is what we can have. The Lord has prepared me for this future well now and I am no longer afraid of what is ahead because their well be Love, Care and the Lords hand on us, what more can one ask for?
