60+ year old thread.

This past Wednesday morning I went over to my mom and dad's place to get him to write a check to send to PennDOT to get the title for the Honda fixed. Mom was in a meeting in the main dining area of their independent living facility. I went on up to their apartment and found dad in a lot of distress. He was trying to call the hospice nurse but wasn't able to do it. (The incredibly wonderful director of their place had given him a necklace with an emergency button, but he hated it and wouldn't use it. That's my dad!) I made the call. I called my sister too, and she came in from NJ. We both stayed, to help mom deal with what was happening and to help dad on to his next adventure.

He passed yesterday morning in the wee hours, at home in his own bed, with his wife and children at his side. He left this mortal plane 94 years, 2 months, and 24 days after he arrived. 34,420 days. He unabashedly lived and loved and laughed and cared and gave to others during every one of those days. His love was fierce. I cannot hope to ever measure up to him.

The past 3 days were very hard. "Overwhelming" doesn't begin to describe it. I'm still too close to events, and too emotional if I'm totally honest, to paint a full picture in words. If I could get a do-over I would research hospice care agencies a lot more, right away, as soon as diagnosis comes down, preferably sooner. I'd find out exactly what, when and how much they support people who choose to die in their homes.

It's good advice to make every arrangement you possibly can in advance. Funeral, obit, legal hoohah, all of the usual stuff. I'm going to add advance planning for hospice care to that list. There are a lot of hospice agencies. Do the research. Pick a good one.

 

I am so very sorry for your loss, Dave. Great words of wisdom for those who have not yet faced all the realities of caring for and planning for a family member's passing. Take time to grieve and celebrate.

Lynn's Mom, just turned 94 on Wednesday, is the last one standing of Lynn and my parents. What a blessing for us to have so much time with her.

Be well.

 

I am sorry to hear of this loss. My best regards to you and your family.

When my dad passed - my sister dug out a yellow envelope he had told her where to find. In it was a trove of info about his plan and wishes (still the engineer in charge). Before he was totally infirm, he had gone to the Missouri State veterans cemetery and initiated a plan. At the funeral home, I handed a closed file to the director there - and he read, then said the unexpected..... "I will call the people at the veterans cemetery - and they will give us a date and hour to be there. You will have a length of time for eulogy and ceremony - and then the U.S.Army will take charge of him". It was as he said and I know that mom appreciated his soldiers wish.

 

Afternoon all:
Sorry to hear of your dad passing Dave, my condolences to you and your family.

 

My condolences. May God bless you and your family.

 

My sincerest and deepest condolences to you Dave and your Mom and family. May you and your family find peace in knowing that you were there with him and he wasn't alone. God bless you and your family.

 

My condolences, Dave. Sounds like he lived a good life.

 

My condolences as well Dave. I've been missing mine for almost two decades now, and mom for one. It's something to get over, that's for sure. Memories will do the trick.

Not the note I wanted to reappear on, so I'll be back later.

 

Dave, your dad lived a long & full life. Please take comfort in that all our thoughts are with you.

Stay strong buddy.

 

Not exactly correct...................
It has to do with Federal law, not State law. Marijuana is a Federal Schedule 1 drug. If you possess marijuana it is a Federal crime to possess a firearm.

 

Thank you all for your thoughts, words, prayers, and wishes. Also for letting me unload a little.

As I've gotten older I've taken to counting my blessings on a regular basis. The first one is always "I still have both my parents with me". As they aged and become frailer I tried to think of what it would be like without them. I never had much luck with that. But now here we are.

This was a wonderful gift he gave to your family. Making funeral arrangements within hours of a loved one's death is darn hard. Mom and dad did a lot of preparation; prepaid (mostly) funeral, selection of burial site, location for services, even writing obituaries. Even with all of that we spent several hours with the funeral director yesterday, trying to help a 93 year old woman who had just lost her husband make decisions about wording, timing, engraving, honor guard yes/no, and so on. The big decisions had been made but many small ones remained. (Yes for the honor guard. Dad didn't wear his military service on his sleeve but he was extremely proud to be a WWII veteran.)

Every possible decision you can make in advance, MAKE IT. Your loved ones will thank you.

 

Dave: Sorry to read that your father passed. My condolences to you and rhe family.

 

Oh God I'm going to catch hell for this!

I purchased the cap for the sole purpose of hunting trips...which my wife doesn't understand...and that's fine.
I go somewhere every year so it'll be back on next September.
But hey at least I put the BakFlip back on...lol

 

Nice set up Harry. Out of the way when not in use and you still have the flexibility for bulk materials. Creative solution.

 

Good morning everyone!! We finally got a chance to extract the honey from our hives yesterday. It's settling out now before we bottle it. Tastes amazing!!

 

Afternoon all:
Looks like Mark is reaping the sweet rewards of his little workers, enjoy.

 

Good morning, everyone!! Live it large!!!

 

Way to go Mark! The world needs all the bees it can muster.

 

Good morning all. On a mini vacation up in the Thumb of Michigan. So far the weather has been a little of everything except snow.

 

Phew...2 days and all's well