Friday, September 12, 2008

Till we meet again

After almost 5 years of battling cancer, my Dad's fight came to an end last week. We all knew the day would come, but it sure did go fast. When he was diagnosed, he was at Stage 4. We all knew what that meant. Still through it all, he remained so positive, so upbeat and so brave.

The last week of his life, things had deteriorated pretty quickly, and he remained positive and brave. Even in the moments where he was loopy, he stayed true to character, cracking jokes and just being the same old Dad that I know and love. I am in awe at his bravery through it all. Through chemo and radiation and then when things weren't working, to still know that everything would be ok. Such great faith.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by family. As his breathing became more labored, my mom held his hand and told him if he saw Emily (my sister who passed away when I was 5), to take her hand and go...that it was ok...and that we would be ok. He passed away a few moments later. We sat around him and sang songs and shared some favorite memories of him after he passed. Having the family together was such a blessing. We could rely on each other for comfort and strength.

The services were beautiful, and just as he would have wanted them. It still seems so surreal. I miss him so much. How grateful I am to have the gospel in my life, and to know the plan of salvation. To know that I will get to see him again one day. How sweet that reunion will be.

God be with you till we meet again.