After returning from our trip to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin in Wyoming, we received a call on Monday night asking if we could come over and have Dan give Dad a blessing. That he was in a ton of pain... and that he really needed to stop fighting so hard.
The blessing was powerful... and in it Dan told him to him it was okay to "let go". After giving him the blessing the feeling in the room changed. It was tangible. We all sat on the bed and didn't want to leave. We all got to have a moment with him, and he told each of us different things. He told McKenna that the next step was to tie her own fly and catch a fish with it. He told her she could have his fly-tying supplies... and she immediately ran down and had Dan help her tie one. He told Courtney that he wished so much he could come watch her in her next meet... and that she needed to win her next race for him. She promised she would. He kissed me and told me how much he loves me. It was spiritual and such a tender moment for all of us. We are eternally grateful we have those memories.
The next day while running errands preparing for our first camping trip in 2 years... Dan called and told me that the hospice nurse was at his moms and that she said Dad only had about 24-48 hours left. Obviously, we cancelled our camping trip on the spot and decided we would go see him that night again. Within a couple hours we got a call saying he only had a couple of hours left. We headed over as soon as Dan walked in the door... and got "the call" while on our way. He had passed.
The next few days were a blur. Wednesday, Dan spent the day with his mom and brother making the funeral arrangements. The girls and I stayed at her house and took calls, talked to neighbors, and were there for the medical supply people when they came to pick up his bed and supplies.
Friday night was the viewing. I took this picture of the flowers that Dan's company had made, using the picture of the fly-fishing trip. I didn't take any other pictures, but it was a night of severe ups and downs. One minute we were crying, the next we were laughing at a story or memory of Dad. 
Saturday morning, the funeral was held at their stake center. The girls posing by the table we set up in the hall with some things that reminded us of Fred.
1 comment:
Everything was beautiful that we attended. Fred had a very nice "sending off". Our condolences to you all!
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