When my dad died, I had an opportunity to talk with him during an afternoon of lucidness. He told me that he didn't want to be on life support. I told him that I respect his wish. We told each other how much we loved each other and that I would look after mom. We chit-chatted about our lives and agreed that he had a full one. Finally, it was obvious that he was very fatigued. Once more I told him that I loved him, and he replied in kind. I kissed his forehead and dad drifted off to a sleep that he never awakened from. It was three days before Christmas. On Christmas eve, the doctor called and said that dad needed help breathing and they had placed him on a respirator. We met as a family at the hospital and decided to leave him on the respirator until after Christmas; to avoid the grand children having a Christmas day memory of pop-pop dying. At 2 AM on the 28th, we had the machine turned off. Dad could stay with us or go as he wished. Dad decided to go. We all sat with him and saw him off.
We buried dad on New Years eve. Ever since (that was 1997), we, as a family, toast dad at midnight on New Years Eve. Be happy dad, we'll all see you on the other side.....
Lawndart, spend some quality time with your dad. Make sure he knows how much you've treasured him. Let him know that it's okay to go. Then, be there so he doesn't go without his loved ones. Like me, you'll miss him terribly. However, like me also, you'll always have those last moments, where love for each other was all encompassing. It will bring you peace.
