FT - Just reading this thread and my heart goes out to you. We had my wife's father living with us in his golden years and went through many a night sitting there in his room, asking God to help him hang on. It's such a tough time, such a lonely time. My prayers are with you. I'm glad you have had such a great man in your life.
Best,
K

Lord, Again and Still, we lift up John, his family and father in prayer. Your gifts to us are SO numerous Lord. John's Dad is one of those gifts. When a son can say "I love him so much" at this point in his life, he truly led a successful and good life. When a son can say "I love him so much," things went very right in this family and your hope and love still shines through.

We also lift-up John's Mom. She is facing such an enormous event...an event we all know will come, but we are never ready for. We ask that you be with her and ease her pain Lord. Relationships like their's are evidence of your power and grace.

This is clearly a time of thanks Lord. We thank you for this family. We thank you for this head of the family. We thank you for leading this wonderful family.

I'n your Name we pray Lord.

Dear John,

May all the good karma that your father put out in the world to his children come back to him right now.

I will pray for him. I always pray for god's will.

Love,

Katie

Well, we're on day 17. Pop had been somewhat alert and interactive for a few days, but has been declining. In accordance with his living will, he is not being nourished nor hydrated. We're working on setting up hospice care in his and Mom's home. My wife and/or I will look at taking family medical leave to provide the day-to-day care (of Pop and Mom) with the hospice folks on call 24/7. I really don't think it will be for a prolonged period of time.

Peace,

John

My fraternal brother, John.

I've been gone for the last week, and just want you to know your family are in my prayers.

A father & his son, love, caring, hope & prayers.

My love & blessings & prayers to you all.

Pete.

As painful as this time is for you, thanks for sharing this glimpse into a loving family with the rest of us who didn't experience that type of family.

Will be praying that your father's journey will be peaceful and loving wherever it takes him from here.

Thanks, guys.

Looks like hospice might not be in the cards. We thought it would happen today, but now the doctor feels he could stay in the hospital with death imminent. It has been a long, gut-wrenching, exhausting (almost) three weeks. At this point praying that God will be merciful to call Pop home today. It is so hard to watch.

Peace,

John

John -

See if the hospital can provide (hopefully they should) a hospice care-giver there. When my FIL was home with us and slowly declining, the hospice team that was there was amazing and made his passing as pleasant for my wife and her sister, really all of us, as they could. I have such praise for them and what they do, that I hope it'd be something to make things a bit easier for you. It took a good deal of fear out of what was happening.

I remember being so caught up in the day-to-day of Robert's (my FIL) care, that when he was gone, we were shell shocked by the silence. You have some hard times ahead of you, and I'll be praying God gives you all strength and peace.

Best,
Kevin

Well, against all odds, Pop is still lingering. We've decided to go ahead and bring him home and care for him with the assistance of hospice. He'll be coming home tomorrow around midday. It has been bittersweet; we don't want him to suffer, but the extra time has given us a chance to better come to terms with losing him.

Peace,

John

Bless you and the family, all your Dad's friends...been following the updates and have many memories of my Pop heading off the the next realm in July 2005.
Seems your Pop is a fighter and he wants to stay with his family. He'll be in his home and that will make him happy.
Thanks for sharing such a family experience.

doug