On May 16th, at 6:03am, the WWII veteran, jack-of-all-trades and master of many,first class salesman, loving husband of sixty-six years, great friend, wonderful grandfather, and loving, caring father..Oh! and don't forget - he was an AVID fisherman!, had passed away at 86 years of age. . . .
I was blessed to be there when it happened as I was blessed to be his daughter. . . He was dying of kidney failure and had chosen not to go on dialysis. . ..
My brothers and I were taking turns spending the night to be able to check on him through out the night to give my Mom some relief. Friday night (15 May) was my night... I decided to stay up and paint all night instead of getting up every 20 minutes or so to check on him.
The painting I was working on was very special and had to be done and posted by the coming Monday morning...It's my first attempt to become a Certified Decorative Painter. (After the conference in June I will show you my first attempt.)This painting was very important to me , until Dad got so ill. I had thought of just giving up
...but Dad still had his facalties about him earlier in the week and had urged me to continue... So there I sat painting this piece.. At 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning, I finished! Now I may not pass as I'm sure there is much more to learn, but for all practical purposes I was through, except for the varnishing.
I looked over at my Dad and did a double take...was he breathing?...Yes! he was. I watched his chest move up and down a couple of times and saw him move his chin. My Mom came in to say she was going to get dressed and I went to wash my face... a couple minutes later I was back to check on Dad. . . But this time he was no longer breathing... there was no slow measured movement of his chest as it had earlier risen and fallen..His gaze was no longer of this world...He was now "Home" with his heavenly Father...celebrating a whole and pain-free new existance. . . 
Yes, he was sad to leave us, but he knew that one day we will all be together again.
I will treasure the special painting I did that night...just as I watched over him, I feel he watched over me to finish it before he passed on.
"Thanks Daddy!, I will always love you.."
3 comments:
Di
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. He looks like a very warm and sweet man. He raised a very special Daughter, so I know he was special too. Your memories of him will definitely comfort you. And I know he's looking down on you from Heaven, watching over you still, and cheering you on with pride for your CDA. Love you. Kathy Horn
Dianne, this is a sweet tribute to your father, and I was very moved reading it.
So sorry for you loss of your dad...You are so blessed you had a wonderful father and mother.Great pics of you father and family. I lost my parents a month apart when I was 38 and the pain of their deaths was awful..but I kept telling myself that at least I didnt loose them as a child..He is going to be watching over you when you paint that picture next year for you CDA. Hugs Sally
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