The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Left The Range => Topic started by: brosometal on February 12, 2010, 06:09:30 PM
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352430966/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352430966/)
Today, a little after 3 p.m., my dad went home to his heavenly father.
I posted earlier that he had been taken off the respirator and was improving. Well, after looking at his oxygen intake, his doctor decided to put him back on and ween him off slowly. Well that was Feb 4th. He finally was where his doctor thought he should be yesterday. When I spoke to my mom she mentioned that it was the first day he seemed to be doing really well. Today, when she got to the hospital he was up and just back from his physical therapy, which consisted of getting out of bed and standing for about a minute and then getting over to chair to sit down. He and my mom talked for a bit and he mentioned that he was really tired. I still don't know all the details, but my mom called to tell me that he coded around 3 and was never resuscitated.
If you listened to my dad, he's been dying for about 2 1/2 years now. He is prone to exaggeration, but he was a lot closer than I would give him credit for. It has been amazing how many things have fallen into place in those 2 1/2 years. I could give you a list a mile long. When my mom called today to tell me that he was coding, I knew, deep down, that he was on his way home.
Now, we're one of those Christian families that you hear about. We believe that if you are a believer: absent from the body is present with the Lord. I know when my time here has run its course I, too, will step into eternity and be reunited. While this gives me peace (Philippians 4:7), the next few days and weeks will be hard. I would ask that you pray for my family, and especially my sister, Ruth. Her road will be much harder. She has a hard time letting go. Your prayers for her will be much appreciated.
Mom and Dad at Christmas
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352475356/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352475356/)
Ruth and Dad 2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352431048/in/set-72157623422991172/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whanford/4352431048/in/set-72157623422991172/)
I don't know all the details as of yet, but the funeral should be sometime next week, possibly next weekend. Once I know some specifics, I will let everyone know. There's no reason to send anything, but if you must, a card or note would be nice. The best address would be:
The Hanfords
6190 Bur Oaks Lane
Naples, FL 34119
Thank you again for all your prayers. They were not in vain. My dad lived to see 72 years in January, and died with, as he liked to put it, his "first wife" at his side.
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I am so sorry to hear of you family's loss, Broso.
This is one of those situations where words can't do much to take away the loss, so please know that you and your family are being thought of and prayed for in your time of grief.
Peg
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sorry to hear bro.
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I'm sorry for your loss.
I'm sure he knew how much he is loved and how much he loves all of you. That is a great gift and you are right in the fact that he has found his way home again.
Prayers are given.
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Also, sorry for your loss, Broso.
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Broso, my condolences on the loss of your Dad to this mortal earth. But you are right, he has gone on to meet his Lord and Savior, and that is to be celebrated, as is his long life, his family, and the love you all so obviously shared. You are blessed. May God help you, your Mom and Ruth remember this and may that thought bring you all peace.
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God Bless your Father, your family and remain strong for your sister. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim & Sue
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Sorry for your loss.
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Sorry for your loss.
Don't use this time to focus on his death but to celebrate the life that he lived.
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My most sincere condolences on the loss of your father. Fathers have a special place in our lives.
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My prayers are with you and your family, brother. Call if you need or want anything.
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Your whole Family have my sincerest condolences .
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I'm very sorry Broso, my heartfelt condolences and prayers are for you and your family.
tw
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I'm so very saddened to here of your loss. My thoughts and pray are with you and your family. May God rest your dad's soul, and peace be with him and your family till you meet again in Heaven! Amen
P.S. In the photos your Dad looked like a real happy guy.
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Thanks everyone. We're still in the process of getting everything sorted out. As it stands now, the funeral will probably be on Thurs.
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So very sorry for you and your families loss. All be comforted that he no longer suffers and had his family with him. I know from experience the empty place where he used to be, and now it has to filled with something else, hopefully all the good memories of him. This time can also be an opportunity to get closer with your extended family.
May God's healing and comfort blanket you and yours. God bless.
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My prayers are with you and yours. God bless you all.
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We say "There he goes", and mourn the loss.
On the other side, they say "Look, here he comes!" And the celebration begins.
May your heart ache be tempered in the Heavenly rejoicing he now enjoys. He is only just around the next corner.
Mac.
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Sorry for your loss! Will be praying for you and yours during my evening prayer time.
God Bless,
Richard
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My deepest sympathies to you and the family, Bro.
You are always in my prayers but I will add a special for your sister.
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Bros,
My best to you and your family. There is nothing we can say or do that will change things or take the pain away. My best advice is to feel the pain today, heel with time, and enjoy the scar as a memory of a life well lived!
Remember that your friends and family are all there to help you through this, and we are a part of that group. Call on us anytime you need!
Mike
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My most sincere condolences on the loss of your father.
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My heart goes out to you and your family my friend.
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I want to thank everyone for their kind words. I got back into town early Mon. morning and headed back to work after helping my mom get some things sorted out. While a funeral of a loved one is not the way to have a reunion, last week was comforting.
My sister and I go into town last Sat. and stayed up till 3:30 talking with Mom. Later the next day (Sun.) my mom's sister called and asked how far Ocala was from Naples. Now, this may not seem like much, but my aunt lives in Tennessee and is recovering from her own surgery. My aunt and uncle basically jumped into the car on Sun. and drove the 12 and a half hours or so to South FL. So my sister and I, my mom, and my aunt and uncle spent the week together getting everything together and preparing for the funeral.
My mom's teacher friends cooked for us the entire week. So much so, in fact, that my mom called and said Thurs. that we were filled to overflowing and I even brought left overs back up with me. The outpouring of support was great to see.
My mom and dad's church has small groups that meet a couple times a month on Sun. nights. The people in my folks small group prepared then cleaned up the reception after the funeral. Again, it was just amazing. The family truly had a good time getting pictures together for a slide show that was shown at the viewing and after the funeral. We got to pour over pictures that we hadn't looked at in years.
Yes, there were and will be some tearful times and there is definitely a Dad shaped hole that my family and I will have to get used to, but there is very little that I would trade for the last week I spent with family and friends remembering my dad.